Justice Secretary David Lammy Confronts Angry Audience at Memorial for Temple Assault Casualties

Memorial gathering David Lammy speaking
Justice Secretary David Lammy was jeered and shouted at as he addressed at a vigil near to the location of the assault

Justice Secretary David Lammy was met with boos and chants of "shame on you" as he appeared at a vigil for victims of the Manchester synagogue attack.

The former foreign secretary was accused by some in the audience of permitting antisemitism to rise during the current administration in power.

The Justice Secretary, who is additionally Deputy Prime Minister, was further condemned for the administration's move to recognize a Palestinian state as a sovereign entity by individuals who had come to show solidarity with those killed and injured at the Manchester synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday.

Confrontation at the Memorial Service

The Deputy Prime Minister heard shouts of "go to Palestine, leave us alone", seemingly in response to the administration's policy to recognize a Palestinian state.

Before Mr Lammy's speech, one man could be overheard yelling: "My children's school was closed today. You have allowed this to happen."

"You are all guilty. You have allowed Jew hatred in Manchester, on the streets. You are all guilty. We do not want you speaking here today," the protester continued.

Another could be heard to shout "Empty words. We want action."

As Mr Lammy started addressing with the word "friends", there were mocking and chuckles from some in the crowd.

Official's Address

The Justice Secretary told the crowd: "We stand in solidarity with the Jewish people, because an attack like this is never felt alone."

"Wherever you are in our country, Jewish people, our friends, our neighbours, our loved ones are terrified by the events of yesterday – of becoming targets, victims of antisemitic hate, simply for who they are," he continued.

"But I know this about Britain's Jewish community, a community I have known all of my life: You are strong, you are resilient, and you will never be cowed, and that's what I want you to know today – that our country, those of all colours, all faiths and none, stand with you."

Protests continued in the memorial gathering as Mr Lammy said "that is why we stand in defiance of those terrorists who seek to divide us."

There were shouts from attendees, and one man could be heard saying "you enabled it, every Saturday", in relation to the regular pro-Palestine marches through urban centers.

The Justice Secretary persisted: "We cannot, must not, let them divide us – we must show them who we really are, not what they want us to become or to believe."

Mr Lammy concluded his remarks by urging those who are organizing demonstrations over the weekend to "reflect with all human dignity, grace and understanding" and to "stop and stand back."

After he concluded, another attendee shouted: "They called for our death in the past. Walk past a university some day."

Community Members Speak

Memorial mood David Lammy at vigil
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was met with heckles and jeers as he spoke at the wet memorial in the city

Joanne Lazarus, sixty-one, from Whitefield, Bury, shouted "shame on you" and "you're embarrassing" at the official as he spoke at the memorial.

She said she wanted the government to stop weekly demonstrations.

She explained to news agencies: "I took the chance to make my voice heard. I can't take these marches every single Saturday."

"I've been into town on a Saturday and have been told I'm a baby killer and to 'go home'," she added.

"That hatred is felt through the whole of the UK and through what happened here yesterday. I knew it would happen."

The attendee, who attended the Heaton Park Shul when she was younger, said she did not think Mr Lammy would "care" about the reaction he encountered at the memorial.

Attack Details

The memorial had been organized following the deaths of two individuals, who died during the incident.

The first victim, 66, is understood to have been fatally attacked by the assailant while fifty-three-year-old Mr Daulby is believed to be struck by gunfire discharged by officers as they attempted to shoot Al-Shamie.

Three other people were hurt, including one also believed to have been hit by officer gunfire.

Al-Shamie, who is reportedly arrived to the United Kingdom as a child from Syria in 2006, was shot dead at the location.

A suspected explosive device he was carrying was determined to be non-functional, authorities reported.

Kenneth Simpson
Kenneth Simpson

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring digital innovations and internet connectivity trends.