East London Life

The borough is gearing up for the biggest ever protest as part of a huge community uprising over plans for a prison in Rainham. Early estimates are that 5,000+ people will march on April 14th, organized by Rainham and Wennington Councillor Jeff Tucker, who said:

It’s definitely going to happen and is going to be the biggest march Havering has ever seen - it will close off the whole of Rainham.

“The prison is the last straw. Rainham gets an unfair deal and the people will protest.

“I’m anticipating 5,000 people turning out and I am personally paying for no less than 50,000 leaflets to be printed.”

He formally received the backing of Havering’s largest community action group - Adamsgate - who represent thousands of residents in Rainham and South Hornchurch.

Their campaigns manager Graham Williamson said:

“We are officially supporting the protest and asking people to lend their support. I am sure it will gather pace.”

In addition, Hornchurch MP James Brokenshire launched a petition against the prison and has announced details of a public meeting on Friday, March 9, in the hall of Our Lady of La Salette Catholic Church, Rainham Road, Rainham, between 7pm and 9pm.

He said:

“People are very angry that Rainham may get dumped on yet again, this time with convicted murderers, robbers and rapists.”