Cooper also retweeted a guide on how to intervene as a bystander in the case of an Islamophobic or racist attack in public, highlighting the need for more people to stay vigilant and socially aware during situations like the one he was in on Sunday.
Cooper also retweeted a guide on how to intervene as a bystander in the case of an Islamophobic or racist attack in public, highlighting the need for more people to stay vigilant and socially aware during situations like the one he was in on Sunday.
In a series of tweets, Oliver Cooper, the Conservative councillor for Hampstead, explained how he intervened during an Islamophobic attack on the tube in London. The attacker was allegedly yelling abuse at two women wearing hijab, and began yelling abuse at Cooper when he stepped in to stop the attack.
The guy squared up to me and started spitting in my face that he’d ‘f*ck me up’. I eventually talked him into sitting down.”
Just stopped a guy yelling abuse at two women wearing hijabs on the tube at Camden Town. The guy squared up to me and started spitting in my face that he’d “fuck me up”. I eventually talked him into sitting down. It got a bit hairy, but glad I didn’t just sit in silence.
— Oliver Cooper #StayHomeSaveLives (@OliverCooper) September 1, 2019
Surprised at how calmly I kept saying, “No, you’re going to sit down and be quiet” when the guy kept shouting inches from my face that he’d fuck me up. And surprised that he eventually complied, to be honest…
— Oliver Cooper #StayHomeSaveLives (@OliverCooper) September 1, 2019
Cooper goes on to explain that he safely escorted the women off the tube, but in the adrenaline rush didn’t follow up with checking if they were feeling okay. Miraculously, one of the women that was subject to the abuse commented on his tweet, thanking him for his intervention.
https://twitter.com/AderinaAsri/status/1168509339281367040
Cooper also retweeted a guide on how to intervene as a bystander in the case of an Islamophobic or racist attack in public, highlighting the need for more people to stay vigilant and socially aware during situations like the one he was in on Sunday. Some steps include asking others around you if they know any additional information pertaining the incident, pretending to know the victim to enable them to get away, and checking in on them afterwards to ensure they are unharmed.
BYSTANDER INTERVENTION THREAD: Some basics. When we see someone being harassed or intruded upon in public, it’s common to worry if you intervene either a) it’s not for you to get involved in someone else’s business and/or b) you’re gonna have to get in a fight. Right?
— #FreeThemAll4PublicHealth (@KelseyMxMo) August 29, 2019
3/ Disrupting the moment in small ways can make a huge diff W/OUT escalating the situation: ask for directions or pretend you know them; position your body so they can turn away from the harasser and close them out, or just go and sit next to or opposite so they know you’re there
— #FreeThemAll4PublicHealth (@KelseyMxMo) August 29, 2019
5/ CHECK IN- this is important. When someone is being disempowered, do not replicate that by coming in trying to “rescue” them- when you can, ask if they’re ok, ask how they want to be supported, give them options, and if they don’t want your help- respect that.
— #FreeThemAll4PublicHealth (@KelseyMxMo) August 29, 2019
Cooper, who leads the Camden conservative base as councillor for Hampstead, has been applauded for his intervention in stopping an escalating Islamophobic attack. However many have also questioned whether his party has been, in part, responsible for the rise in Islamophobia in the country. Mariam Hakim, a writer for TMV, commented on Cooper’s twitter, both thanking him for his efforts as well as reminding him of his responsibility towards the rise in Islamophobic attacks.
Lucky for those Muslim women that you were able to assist.
I hope you will also speak up against the leader of the Tories who helped to normalise this hostile environment against Muslim women – referring to them as criminals e.g. 'Bank robbers' and objects e.g. 'letter boxes'
— Mariam (@MariamKSHakim) September 1, 2019
As Islamophobic attacks around the world continue to skyrocket, it becomes painfully aware that much of it is state sponsored as well as media-fueled. In our growing multi-cultural world, societies must come together, regardless of political divisions, to combat the growing right-wing extremism at the heart of much of the hate.
