Black groups around the capital have thrown their weight behind London Mayor Ken Livingstone in their condemnation of the unelected Adjudication Panel for England’s decision to suspend the Mayor (24/02/2006) following his remarks likening a Jewish 'Evening Standard' reporter to a '(Nazi) concentration camp guard'. During the last two days Operation Black Vote and the Black Londoners Forum received more than 50 calls from Black Londoners who were outraged by the decision to suspend Livingstone.

Some argued, “surely it’s the job of the electorate to remove Livingstone, not unelected quangos.” Others claimed it, “was a conspiracy because of his support for tackling racism.”

Expressing the feelings for many Black Londoners, OBV Director Simon Woolley stated: “Anyone who is at the forefront of effectively tackling race inequality is hounded out of office. This is a man who brought all Londoners together after its worst terrorist attack. Who almost single handedly brought the Olympic games to this city, and who has been at the forefront of tackling racism for the last twenty years. Suspending Livingstone for what was an ill advised remark, is disproportionate and undermines the capital’s democracy.”

Interim Director for the Black Londoners Forum Ben Owusu called on Black Muslims in the capital to: “Focus the indignation on the Adjudication Panel for England and not on the Jewish community who had been offended by his comments.” Adding, “there will be some who will seek to use this judgement to divide Muslims against Jews. Collectively we must not let that happen.”

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