“Lively” debate expected in Bow between campaigners against Olympic missiles and the MoD

A public meeting between campaigners against missiles being placed in the East End during the Olympics and the Ministry of Defence is expected to be a “lively debate”.

Members of the Stop the Olympic Missiles campaign have invited MoD representaties to a public meeting at Bow Road Methodist Church, Merchant Street, on May 31.

MP Rushanara Ali, and Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman have also been invited.

It comes after the MoD tested the logistics of putting missiles on the roof of Bow Quarter, a gated residential community, in Bow, during this summer’s Games. It would be one of six sites forming an Olympic ring of missiles around London to protest against a terrorist attack.

Resident and journalist, Brian Whelan, who started the campaign, said: “We’ve just had confirmation from the MoD that they’ll be attending. So it should be a lively debate, and a good and healthy discussion.”

Mr Whelan will attend along with Chris Nineham from Stop the War Coalition, Alex Kenny of Tower Hamlets NUT and councillor Rania Khan. The meeting starts at 7pm.

A protest march from Blackheath to Oxleas Wood, two other missile sites, is also being organised on June 9.