Around 100 people attended a Confronting the Rise of Rascism public meeting in Hammersmith .

The Stand up to Racism (SUTR) event was held at Hammersmith Town Hall on Thursday March 9.

Among those to address the crowd was SUTR campaigner Nahella Ashraf, who was subjected to a hate crime attack in Hammersmith in January .

Other speakers included Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter and Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader Stephen Cowan.

Video Loading

Addressing the crowd, Miss Ashraf said: “There is racism, and it’s manifested in what happened to me on the streets of London.

“That’s why we have to go out and be vocal and mobilise.”

Audience members including Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter make their feelings known at the Stand Up To Racism meeting

Mr Slaughter warned of a rise in racism since last year’s referendum, fuelled by a long period of tightening restrictions on immigrants’ rights.

He said: “We have to fight this and we have to make it our number one priority.”

During the meeting it was agreed that actress and veteran campaigner Vanessa Redgrave, who was due to attend the meeting but pulled out at the last minute, would become Honorary President of north west London SUTR branch.

Naheela Ashraf at the Stand Up to Racism vigil in Hammersmith on Wednesday January 11

Ms Ashraf was having dinner with friends in a fish and chips takeaway in King Street on Friday January 6 evening when a man screamed abuse at her, grabbed hold of her and tried to rip off her hijab .

The 46-year-old, who lives in Manchester but spends much of her time in London working, previously spoke a protest and vigil held on Wednesday January 11 evening in Lyric Square Hammersmith, which was organised by Stand Up To Racism in the aftermath of her attack .

Keep up to date with the latest news in west London via the free getwestlondon app.

You can even set it to receive push notifications for all the breaking news in your area.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android now!