MORE than 1000 Christians and people of other faiths marched against so-called Christian nationalism in a demonstration through London on Saturday organised by the Together Alliance.
The Bishop of Croydon, Dr Rosemarie Mallett, who took part at a service at Oasis Church, Waterloo, at the start of the route, said that the group was “committed to building bridges rather than barriers”.
She and the Bishop of Edmonton, the Rt Revd Anderson Jeremiah, led prayers at the family-friendly service, which included live music and activities for children.
More than 200 civil-society organisations took part in the march through central London. The Christian bloc was made up of more than 20 organisations, including the Oasis Church, Better Story, Christians for a Welcoming Britain, Red Letter Christians, and Christian Climate Action.
Muslim groups and Jewish groups also joined the march in solidarity, amid rising reports of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism across the UK.
Better StoryThe Together March, on Saturday
Dr Mallett, speaking ahead of the event, said: “The diocese of Southwark stands with all people of good will who seek to build diverse and inclusive communities. We are proud to support the Together Alliance March in central London. As witnesses to Christ’s love, which is at the heart of our Christian faith, we are committed to building bridges rather than barriers and to living out Jesus’s command to love our neighbours.”
Poppy Sharpe, the co-ordinator of Better Story, said on the day: “Christians have turned up to today to show that Jesus’s message is about love for all: love of neighbours, and love of enemies. Christianity and the far-Right are fundamentally incompatible. I am really encouraged to see so many Christians supporting this message, and I want people to understand what the teachings of Jesus are really about.”
Holly-Anna Petersen, a member of Christians for a Welcoming Britain, said: “The Christian faith is being hijacked and weaponised by people trying to spread hate and division. Nothing is further from the teachings of Jesus.
“The Together March is an opportunity to put the commandment to love our neighbours into action. People of different backgrounds and nationalities are standing side by side against those set on spreading hatred.”