Churches hold Vigil of Hope in riot zone

Around 200 people from all faiths prayed together at St Mary's Church for two hours and then walked to the High Road for a public Vigil of Hope in Tottenham, north London last night. There were prayers and testimonies for about 45 minutes.

The gathering was attended by the Anglican Bishop of Edmonton, Peter Wheatley, Sister Eugenia from St Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, Rev Dr Valentin Dedji, minister of St Mark’s Methodist Church, people from the United Reformed Church and Pentecostalist and Independent churches; David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, and the Leader of Haringey Council, Claire Kober.

Alvin Carpio, a Haringey Citizens community organiser from St Ignatius Catholic Church in nearby Stamford Hill said: "The vigil was organised so quickly - just 23 hours earlier. We wanted to show the world that the majority of people here want peace and are not involved in this violence. We ended the day feeling more hopeful, although everybody is scared about what is going to happen next."

Alvin said that while he could not condone the violence, he felt the fact that the government has cut 75 per cent of youth clubs in Tottenham as well as other social services, has contributed to the crisis. "This is an area of high unemployment where young people have little to hope for" he said.

The churches in Tottenham are taking a lead running youth projects and advice services. And since the riots began they have been the first to offer food, shelter and other support to people who have lost their homes, Alvin said.

Rev Dr Valentin Dedji, minister of St Mark’s Methodist Church in High Road, said: "Most of the roads around here were blocked, but people managed to get here. I came on my bicycle. Sadly the family of Mark Duggan didn't come. they were too afraid. We prayed for them. Some people also tried to highjack the meeting, so then we ended it."

A TV camera crew was attacked by hooded youths near the vigil, but participants dispersed safely.