Last week we reported on the awful racial abuse that had been sprayed on the wall of the Dee Dee’s venue in Herne Hill, and today the bar has announced that it intends to thank locals for their support during a difficult time.
The graffiti was quickly covered up by locals and then painted over, with the Guardian subsequently finding a positive from the episode: The unexpected upside of a hate crime
After the story was picked up by the mainstream media, unfounded accusations were made on social media that suggested that a local teacher was responsible – something that the school was quick to refute. The teacher, Thomas Turnham, went on to tell the Standard that the accusations had wrecked his life.
With the police now investigating the incident, the bar has posted up a thank you message to the local community, and is hosting an open bar on Thursday, 4th June, from 6pm to 8pm.
Hello Everyone
Thank you all for the phone calls, notes, emails, tweets and Facebook message of support we have received regarding the racial abuse we were subject to on Monday 25th May, 2015.On what was supposed to be our break on a Bank Holiday, it was with great shock and much sadness that we were called to work to see a disgusting piece of graffiti scrawled upon our very own walls. It was a disappointment to us to realise that someone could go out of their way to be so disrespectful and to have the gall to express such prejudice in public. There is no place in this community for such prejudice whether race, religion, sexuality…. NONE! London is such a cosmopolitan city, which makes it so special.
What we know and stand by is, that the culprit(s) actions do not represent the general feeling of the Herne Hill community.
We have received so much support from so many that we really and truly feel inspired and hopeful in a situation which frankly left us bewildered, violated and down-heartened. On the very day it happened, we had one very kind neighbour lend us some sheets to cover the obscene language, and since then a stream of well wishers checking that we were OK. We have been inundated with encouraging messages to focus on the good that we are doing, rather than the negativity of the incident. We appreciate your continued support.
To thank you all for your support, we have an open bar on Thursday, 4th June from 1800-2000 – we are putting on some entertainment by inviting the hosts of our comedy and poetry night, to put on an event of fun and laughter.
We look forward to seeing you and THANK YOU again for all your support.
The Dee Dee’s Team
Dee Dee’s
77 Herne Hill London
SE24 9NE
Tel: 0207 326 1155
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