Taking a stand against hate and violence is a moment to be proud of

A YEAR ON FROM RIOTS, LEADER SAYS COMMUNITY STANDS UNITED

- By DANIEL HOLLAND

THE manager of a Newcastle business hub targeted during last summer's riots says its community has become more united, 12 months on from a remarkable show of Geordie solidarity.

A year ago yesterday, thousands of people in Newcastle's West End took to the streets in a stand against the scenes of horrifying violence that erupted around the country in the wake of the murder of three young girls at a dance class in Southport.

The community came out to protect The Beacon, a business centre on Westgate Road that houses an immigration advice service, after it was named among a list of targets for far right protesters. Just days after the shocking destruction in Sunderland city centre, in which cars and buildings were torched and police officers attacked, there had been fears of similar disorder on Tyneside.

Instead, around 3,000 locals bearing messages like "Geordies are of all colours" surrounded the conference and community centre to defend it from any potential rioters. Beacon centre manager Marie Watson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) this week that, at a time of bitter division around the nation, the events of last summer "actually brought our community together."

She added: "That has continued since, there is a great community feeling here. There has always been quite a close-knit community here, but I feel like now there is an even more supportive community feeling which was prompted by that night."