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Birmingham disorder: Thousands expected at peace rally Birmingham disorder: Thousands expected at peace rally
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of people are expected to attend a peace rally following the looting and violence in Birmingham. Organisers expect thousands of people to attend a peace rally which follows the looting and violence in Birmingham.
Community groups from across the city have arranged the rally in response to the disorder and the loss of three lives in Winson Green.Community groups from across the city have arranged the rally in response to the disorder and the loss of three lives in Winson Green.
Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, died on Wednesday as they protected businesses from looters.Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, died on Wednesday as they protected businesses from looters.
The rally is taking place at Summerfield Park in Winson Green.The rally is taking place at Summerfield Park in Winson Green.
Religious leaders, who have organised the event, said the aim of the event was to promote unity and to show solidarity against the rioters.Religious leaders, who have organised the event, said the aim of the event was to promote unity and to show solidarity against the rioters.
'Wounds too deep''Wounds too deep'
Reverend Mark Ryan, of the Birmingham Christian Centre, said there was a slight risk of trouble but that it was worth taking the risk. Rev Mark Ryan, of the Birmingham Christian Centre, said there was a slight risk of trouble but that it was worth taking the risk.
"I think it is a great thing that all the communities want to come to say one Birmingham, one city, one voice for peace."I think it is a great thing that all the communities want to come to say one Birmingham, one city, one voice for peace.
"That is the major message."That is the major message.
"I would urge people of non-faith to come out and show that the ordinary Brummie has will got a good voice and a good community. "I would urge people of non-faith to come out and show that the ordinary Brummie has will got a good voice and a good community."
He added that members of the Christian centre, which numbers more than 1,000, were expected to attend and that invites had been spread to all churches in the city.
Police have said they expect the rally to pass without incident.Police have said they expect the rally to pass without incident.
Derek Campbell, chief executive of Race Equality Sandwell, said he thought it was too soon for the rally as wounds were still raw.Derek Campbell, chief executive of Race Equality Sandwell, said he thought it was too soon for the rally as wounds were still raw.
"I believe and support the concept of people working together to deliver the message that we should find ways to live together and support each other as a community."I believe and support the concept of people working together to deliver the message that we should find ways to live together and support each other as a community.
"I think the wounds are just too raw and too deep at the moment."I think the wounds are just too raw and too deep at the moment.
"It is just a little bit too soon," he said."It is just a little bit too soon," he said.
'Damaged young people'
West Midlands Chief Constable Chris Sims is speaking at the event.
He said: "Officers have been overwhelmed by the support shown by the public and it felt a million miles from the debates apparently raging in Westminster."
He said he looked forward to being held to account as to how police handled the situation of the past week and how quickly police adopted new tactics to deal with the "unprecedented challenge."
"Officers committed acts of incredible bravery and have been working with astonishing commitment to ensure the critical sense of deterrence has been re-established," he said.
Sentencing of those in court had been "justifiably harsh", he said.
But he added people must not abandon compassion for some "damaged young people who have been caught up in these incidents".
Earlier on Sunday, two people, a 26-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy appeared in court charged with the murders of the three men in Winson Green.
They were remanded in custody and will appear at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday.