Community unites in protest after Ali Baygören stabbing

The death of 17-year-old Ali Baygören – who was fatally stabbed in Tottenham on Saturday, 18th June – has prompted an outpouring of grief from community members. 

Ali was on his way to work at a market when he was attacked near his home in Orchard Place. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Ali died at the scene.

Two protests have been organised by Turkish and Kurdish community groups since the incident, with upwards of 2,500 people attending a march on Monday, 20th June. Demonstrators walked from Orchard Place to Edmonton police station, demanding an end to gang violence and the restoration of youth services. 

Fredi Gentz, who spoke at the march, is the London regional organiser for ACORN – a network of low-income people fighting for a fairer deal for communities. He said: “Not a single one of these kids, who are killing each other over postcodes, what block they’re from, what gang they think they’re in — not a single one of these kids comes from what we might call ‘the upper class.’

“Why? Why is it that young people who have what they need — who will inherit secure housing, attend a good university, and get well-paying jobs – don’t join gangs or fight with knives? Because people whose lives are valued, value the lives of others. Because young people with hope in tomorrow won’t commit pointless murders today.

We have to say enough is enough. We have to organise together and fight for our youth services, fight for our community centers, fight for our children’s lives and their children’s future.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, commander of the Met’s north area borough command unit (BCU), said in a statement: “Every single homicide is a tragedy, and knife crime completely destroys victims, families and communities, which is why tackling it is our top priority.

“We must continue to work with our partners such as education, health and social services to come together in preventing violence occurring. There are solutions – some are with policing, while others do not.

The responsibility lies with us all. Reducing knife crime requires a multi-agency response across all communities, the public, private and charity sectors in order to deliver long-term change.” 

A 15-year-old male has been charged with murder, appearing at Willesden Magistrates Court on Monday, 20th June. Two further males – aged 16 and 17 – were arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. Both have been bailed pending further enquiries.