CORRECTS - UK: Vigil held to protest Islamophobic attacks

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - A group of activists held a vigil on Wednesday in the British capital to support victims of recent anti-Muslim attacks in the U.K.

Stand Up To Racism held the vigil in Stratford, east London, to show “solidarity” with the victims of a recent acid attack “and the victims of anti-Muslim hate crime,” organizers said.

Speakers at the vigil highlighted anti-Muslim hate crimes and urged the authorities to act against attacks which target peaceful Muslims in the U.K.

Protesters held banners and posters condemning Islamophobia.

Islamophobic attacks in the U.K. spiked sharply after deadly terror attacks in Manchester and London Bridge in recent weeks, according to official figures.

Darren Osbourne, 47, was arrested on June 19 and later charged with terrorism-related murder and attempted murder after allegedly attacking a group of Muslims in Finsbury Park, north London, after night prayers during Ramadan.

Fifty-one-year-old Makram Ali died and 11 others were injured in the incident.