This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7626574.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Peace march against knife crime Peace march against knife crime
(about 3 hours later)
More than a thousand people, including families and friends of gun and knife crime victims, have begun two peace marches across London to Hyde Park. More than a thousand people, including families and friends of gun and knife crime victims, have marched across London to Hyde Park.
The first march began from Kennington Park, south London, while another began from Caledonian Road, north London.The first march began from Kennington Park, south London, while another began from Caledonian Road, north London.
Relatives of Damilola Taylor, killed in 2000, and Ben Kinsella, stabbed to death this year, are taking part. Families affected by knife crime, including relatives of youths killed in the city this year, are rallying to call for an end to the violence.
The idea was started on Facebook by two London women. The marchers chanted "Stop the knives, save lives". The idea was started on Facebook by two London women.
The marchers chanted "Stop the knives, save lives" as they walked through London.
Onlookers clapped and some motorists beeped their horns in a show of support.Onlookers clapped and some motorists beeped their horns in a show of support.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "I am determined to support the People's March... I share the same sentiment as every law-abiding person in this country - enough is enough. London Mayor Boris Johnson backed the march adding: "The people's march alone won't stop youth crime but if everyone marching is truly committed to working together alongside the police and youth organisations, then I believe we can put an end to this horrific violence."
"The People's March alone won't stop youth crime but if everyone marching is truly committed to working together alongside the police and youth organisations, then I believe we can put an end to this horrific violence." There are other ways by which you can sort out a fight rather than use a knife Richard Taylor, father of Damilola
I don't think enough is being done to combat the situation and this is a good opportunity to show that we are not going to give up the fight Ivette Bryon-Graham, mother of knife-crime victim Gary Trowsdale, special projects organiser for the Damilola Taylor Trust which organised the event, said: "It's more about the people who have decided enough is enough, and before it happens to someone in their family, they want to come together and make a stand."
On the eve of the march, a man in his 20s was stabbed to death outside a club in Brixton, south London. The idea for the People's March on Facebook, originally started by Sharon Singh and Gemma Olway, both 26 and living in south-west London, received backing from several national newspapers.
Organisers hope that tens of thousands of people will take part in a bid to stop people from carrying knives. Damilola Taylor's father Richard said: "There are other ways by which you can sort out a fight rather than use a knife. We have had enough of this."
Gary Trowsdale, special projects organiser for the Damilola Taylor Trust which organised the event, said the rally was about taking a stand against violence.
He told BBC News: "It all came about from a group of people on Facebook, just coming together, really, and crying out for change after the death of Ben Kinsella.
"It's more about the people who have decided enough is enough, and before it happens to someone in their family, they want to come together and make a stand.
"The fact is, if we can reach out to the good kids, and there are a lot more of them, and everybody can come together like this, then there is no reason why this epidemic can't be put behind us."
The idea for the peace march was started on Facebook
The idea for the People's March, originally started by Sharon Singh and Gemma Olway, both 26 and living in south west London, has received strong backing from several national newspapers.
As many as 40 families directly affected by knife violence are expected to attend.
Speaking on the BBC's Breakfast programme, Damilola Taylor's father Richard said: "What we feel the impact of today's march will be is to send a message to young people that enough is enough of these killings.
"There are other ways by which you can sort out a fight rather than use a knife. We have had enough of this."
Mr Taylor also called for families to take greater responsibility for "guiding" their children.Mr Taylor also called for families to take greater responsibility for "guiding" their children.
Rosie Ogazi, whose 21-year-old brother Antony was murdered in Stockwell in May, will also be at the march. Barry Mizen, father of 16-year-old Jimmy, stabbed this May, said: "I am more than glad to be here today if it helps make a difference and in memory of our son.
She said: "Since my brother died I'd felt I had not been doing anything but now I feel like I'm doing something constructive. The idea for the peace march was started on Facebook
"It makes me feel useful. It will be good to see that my brother's death has not been in vain." "If we do nothing it will just get worse. I can't see this changing at all if we bury our heads in the sand."
Among the marchers were former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, whose 16-year brother Ben was stabbed to death in June, and Caroline Kingonzila, mother of promising footballer Oliver who was killed last Saturday.
Rosie Ogazi, whose 21-year-old brother Antony was murdered in Stockwell in May, said: "Since my brother died I'd felt I had not been doing anything but now I feel like I'm doing something constructive.
"It will be good to see that my brother's death has not been in vain."
Junior Home Office minister Vernon Coaker also reached Hyde Park for the rally.
He said: "Obviously the government has a real responsibility about this but it is all of us, police, parents and schools, everybody standing together, that will tackle this.
"I just think that's a really powerful message."
Speakers and musicSpeakers and music
Also attending the procession will be Ivette Bryon-Graham, whose son Javarie Crighton was stabbed to death in Peckham last year. Also attending the procession was Ivette Bryon-Graham, whose son Javarie Crighton was stabbed to death in Peckham last year.
She said: "I've been blessed by the support of these people. I don't think I would have coped without it. She said: "I don't think enough is being done to combat the situation and this is a good opportunity to show that we are not going to give up the fight.
"I don't think enough is being done to combat the situation and this is a good opportunity to show that we are not going to give up the fight.
"If we save just one person then that would be a good benefit.""If we save just one person then that would be a good benefit."
The marchers will congregate in Hyde Park at 1330 BST for a rally including speakers and music. The marchers are congregating in Hyde Park for a rally including speakers and music.
Hundreds of people will also be taking part in another anti-gun and knife crime march in north-west London at midday. Hundreds of people also participated in another anti-gun and knife crime march - Not Another Drop - from Harlesden to Wembley Stadium, north-west London.
The Not Another Drop march, which is in its fifth year, begins in Harlesden and ends in Wembley Stadium. About a thousand people also attended an anti-knife march in Inverclyde, Scotland.
About 2,000 people are also expected to attend an anti-knife march in Inverclyde, Scotland.
Will you be attending the rally in London today? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Will you be attending the rally in London today? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos of the rally to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124.Send your pictures and videos of the rally to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124.
If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditionsIf you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Name
 Name