BLM campaigner responds to 'hateful' graffiti in South Oxhey

Terrell Hoyte, who co-organised the Black Lives Matter protests in Rickmansworth last summer, has shared his thoughts after he learned about graffiti that appeared in a neighbourhood this month.

Graffiti has been daubed over buildings in and around Prestwick Road in South Oxhey including 'White Pride' and the letters 'BNP', which has been presumed by a local county councillor to stand for the British National Party.

'White Pride' was daubed on this garage in capital letters. Credit: Cllr Christopher Alley

Mr Hoyte told the Observer: "It's a shame that in this day and age people still carry the sentiment that other races are inferior to their own. As I have witnessed and been through myself, black people fight tirelessly to be heard and have our lived experiences validated.

"White supremacy has been existed for generations, and is ingrained in the minds of many. While black people may be used to seeing this kind of racism, we are not surprised.

"A piece of graffiti can always be cleaned off, but the message behind it will remain intact so long as the stains of racism are not addressed. It takes more to clean up hatred than a bucket of water and a sponge."

A photo taken from the Black Lives Matter protest in Rickmansworth last summer. Credit: Twisty@Twisty Images

Mr Hoyte runs WD Unity, a community Facebook group, based on "equality, togetherness, caring and sharing, and kindness". Some of the founding members helped arrange the Black Lives Matter protest in Rickmansworth Park in June, following the death of George Floyd in the US.

As part of the event, young black people spoke about the experiences they have faced of racism, including within their own Hertfordshire communities.

They also spoke about the importance of raising awareness within communities, while also urging everyone to look at themselves and reflect on what changes they can make too.

'BNP' written on wall in South Oxhey. Credit: Christoper Alley

The graffiti that appeared in South Oxhey this month was raised by Conservative South Oxhey & Eastbury councillor Christopher Alley, who accused the person or people responsible of "seeking to sow fear and division in a community".

He added: "I know the fine people of South Oxhey will join me in rejecting racism and all forms of extremism."

See more: 'White Pride' graffitied on wall in South Oxhey

The graffiti on the wall that can be seen from Prestwick Road, including 'BNP' has now been painted over, while cameras have been put up in the area.

A camera facing the wall which was graffitied. Credit: Three Rivers Police

Three Rivers Police posted on its Facebook page this morning: "With the assistance of our rural operational support team we have today installed temporary overt and covert cameras covering a wall that has been subject to racist graffiti.

"We will continue working with our partner agencies to work on a longer term solution into this issue. Racism should never be tolerated."

Police installing the camera in Prestwick Road. The pink wall is where graffiti appeared. Credit: Three Rivers Police