Goans take part in a peaceful meeting at the Wembley Central Railway station on Sunday evening.
Photo Credits: The Goan
LONDON
An estimated 250 people took part in a peaceful meeting at the Wembley Central Railway station in Wembley-London on Sunday evening, to denounce attempts by anti-social elements to spoil the peace and harmony in Goa by creating communal tension.
The meeting was organised by Joyce De Souza, a practising lawyer in Goa and a social activist in Wembley, Caetano de Braganza (Cajie), a Konkani song lyrics writer/Tiatrist in Goa & UK, Elvis Fernandes, social activist in Wembley, Duarte Lopes and Poddi Fernandes.
Joyce recited a prayer for justice, which was followed by everyone singing a Konkani hymn in honour of St Francis Xavier. Later addressing the large gathering, Joyce said: “Religion should not be used by politicians. Goa has always been a peaceful State but recently anti-social elements want to spoil the peace and harmony in Goa by creating communal tension.”
She advised people to remain united and to raise their voices in a peaceful manner without taking law and order into their hands.
Cajetan Braganza said Goans had gathered in Wembley to condemn the statement against the Goencho Saib and expressed his gratitude to people for turning up at the peaceful meeting in large numbers.
Adrian, a poet from Canacona, later read a verse from a poem. Other speakers at the meeting included Nazareth, Icy, Allison, Floyd, Adrian and Mazrina.
Joe Valent sponsored candles and a statue of St Francis Xavier was displayed at the meeting. Alvito said a final prayer before the people dispersed from the site.
Goans in Hounslow pledge unity amid protests in Goa
Goans gathered at Cranford-Hounslow in West London on Sunday evening to stand in solidarity and protest against derogatory comments made about St Francis Xavier in Goa.
“The Goan community was united in their shared faith and respect for our beloved saint. Together, we demonstrated that the spirit of our community is strong, and we will always stand up against any affront to our beliefs,” said Peter Miranda, one of the organisers.
“The purpose of our protest was clear: we demand action against those making inflammatory statements and urge the Goa government to address this grave issue.”
Miranda said the unity of Goans was evident as participants raised their voices, refusing to allow the dignity of St Francis Xavier to be undermined.
“Councillor Sukhbir Singh Dhaliwal from Hounslow offered his full support to the cause, standing alongside us in defending our cultural and religious heritage,” added Miranda.
