While Politicians Are Still Ducking The Real Issues...

Hundreds of people gathered in south London for a candlelit vigil close to where a 15-year-old schoolgirl was stabbed to death.

Yes, this one. 

Rev Denzil Larbi, Elianne’s cousin, led people gathered outside the shopping centre and bus stop in prayer on Wednesday, one week after the killing. He spoke in front of a makeshift shrine to Elianne, featuring balloons and flowers.

A friend of the family, Gloria Twumasi Danquah, said she was still devastated at Elianne’s death. “It’s such a terrible tragedy, she was such a beautiful girl,” she said. Danquah said she hoped Elianne’s death would act as a wake-up call for young people, showing them that actions can have devastating consequences.

“I hope young people will see that what you do actually has an impact on your future as a person and also those around you.

“You can’t not be mindful of what you do and you have to have some control over the way you behave as an individual.”

I notice no-one here is demanding action from anyone but the actual perpetrators and their parents. Which is a nice change. 

Rev Paul Akinola, from St George’s Church in Southall, also led the crowd in prayer and spoke about how mature and ambitious Elianne was.Akinola said he hoped Elianne’s death would lead to more conversations about knife crime and how to tackle it within the police force, but also with parents and their children at home.

Because that's where the action needs to be taken.