Survivors of the Manchester Arena terror attack have written an open letter urging the public to help in the fight against terrorism.
Those who lost loved ones in the atrocity almost exactly one year ago, are calling for everyone to do their bit.
Last updated 21st May 2018
With just two days to go until the anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack, which also marks the murder five years ago of Fusilier Lee Rigby, we would like to ask the public, as well as honouring those we have lost, to think about how you can become part of the solution to terror.
We are a group of survivors of terrorism. Some of us were injured ourselves, others have lost loved ones. In all cases the scars of those moments are deep. As we know from our own experience, terrorists have targeted the innocent regardless of faith, ethnicity or politics for generations.
Our members have lost loved ones to nationalists, Islamists and far right extremists. What binds these extremists together – is not any particular belief – it is the hatred of people not like them – and the willingness to use violence against innocent civilians. It is this that we must take on and defeat.
When terror hits, we all feel an impotent rage. We all want to help the victims and take on the evil that drives the attacks, but how? Here are five things we’d ask you to consider:
1) Please keep your focus on honouring the memory of those who have been killed. Terrorists often attack partly to gain notoriety. We should deny them it; their names don’t deserve to be remembered.
2) Give to appeals to help the victims of attacks and demand government provide the high quality services that survivors need.
3) Ask media and social media organisations to do far more to take on and shut down those driving hate.
4) Support our emergency and security services to do their job. If you know something or suspect something, tell them.
5) Take on hatred wherever you find it. Very few of us will ever meet a terrorist, but lots of us will experience those driving hatred. Hatred is the sea that terrorists need to swim in, if we take on that hatred, we dry up that sea.
There is no easy fix to terrorism, but we do know that if we all play our part we can make it less likely and ensure no other family has to go through what we have.
Signed: Dan Hett, Brother of Martyn who died in the Manchester arena attack Charlotte Sutcliffe-Dixon, wife of David who died in the Brussels metro bombing Becky Rigby, wife of Fusiller Lee Rigby Travis Frain, injured in the Westminster attack Mike Haines, brother of David killed by Isis in Syria Sajda Mughal, 7/7 survivor Gina Van Dort, injured in the Tunisia beach attack and wife of Chris who was killed Jo Berry, daughter of Anthony, killed in the IRA Brighton hotel bombing. Polly Brooks (Miller), widowed and burned in the Bali Bombing in 2002 Gaynor Nelson, cousin of Paul Morgan who was killed during the In Amenas terrorist attack Algeria Trevor Ball, brother of Royal Marine Michael Ball killed by the IRA. Mark Tipper, brother of Trooper Simon Tipper murdered 1982 Hyde Park Car Bombing Graeme Scott, survivor of The Tunisia Terrorist attack on 26th June 15 Maggie Stephens, mother of Neil Bowler, killed in the Bali bombings Bethany Haines, daughter of David Haines, murdered ISIS hostage Frances Noon, Survivor of the Manchester Arena Terror Attack Sam Bailey, Manchester bombing survivor Dr Marine Vincent, victim of Borough Market attack, June 2017 Dan Biddle, the most seriously injured 7/7 survivor Daren Buckly, Manchester bombing foyer survivor Ruth Murrell- Survivor of the Manchester Arena Attack Lisa Newton Manchester Arena survivor and mother to child survivor of Manchester Arena Attack Petra Jordan - survivor Manchester Arena Attack 22.5.17 Stephen M. Flatow, father of Alisa murdered by Islamic Jihad 4/9/95 Justine Merton-Scott & Tony Scott, survivors of the Bataclan attack, Paris. Nader Mozakka husband of Behnaz Mozakka, killed in 7/7 London bombing Jo Petty - survivor of the Manchester Arena Attack Alison Mackenzie, survivor Tunisia Beach Attack Frances Noon, Survivor of the Manchester Arena Terror Attack Georgia Faye, Manchester Attack Survivor Joanne McVey, 7/7 Survivor Patrick and Maria Moore, Bataclan survivors Caroline, mother of Luke Rutter, killed by Isis in Raqqa, Syria Graham Foulkes, Father of David killed in 7/7 Figen Murray. Mother of Martyn Hett, killed in Manchester Arena Attack Brendan Cox, Jo Cox’s Husband Melissa Mcmullan- The McMullan family- Family of James, killed in London Bridge Attack Lindsey and Daniel Clifford, Lindsey’s parents, Denis and Elaine Thwaites we’re both killed in Tunisia