Sheffield City Council leader scoffs at "ridiculous" idea that city has 'no go zones'
“It's absolutely nonsense”
The leader of Sheffield City Council has said that it’s “ridiculous” to suggest that the city has ‘no-go zones’ after crowds of masked people marched through one neighbourhood.
Residents in Darnall say they have been left frightened and intimidated by the gathering of people on Sunday morning (October 11), which is understood to have been part of a nationally co-ordinated campaign organised by Patriot Platform.
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Online commentators quickly shared their thoughts on the demonstration, with far-right figure Tommy Robinson - otherwise known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - describing Darnall as an “Islamic ghetto”.
As footage circulated on social media, others alleged that Darnall was a ‘no-go zone’, referring to an area where white people cannot go.
But responding to these comments, council leader Fran Belbin said she “thinks it’s ridiculous” to suggest that.
“I live in Burngreave, another so-called no-go area - it's absolutely nonsense,” she added.
“There are no no-go areas in Sheffield. There are lots of areas where there are people from many, many different backgrounds and cultures. Personally I think that's a fantastic thing and something that I really love about the city.
“Our diversity and the many, many people that make up Sheffield are what make us such a fantastic city.”
At a community meeting held at the Pakistan Muslim Centre on Monday, October 12, in response to the protest, scores of people showed up sharing their fears with representatives from the police and council.
Local councillor Zahira Naz said that it goes to show how the community “really look out for each other”.
“I was speaking to people yesterday, I've been speaking to people all day today, and I will be speaking to people tomorrow because we we want to and we are united on this issue,” she continued.
“We can't let racism and division and hatred divide us as a community. We won't allow that to happen.”