The event in the city centre showcased the success of several community groups and individuals who are challenging extremism and bringing people together.
As part of the event, local group Odara launched a new poster campaign “Behind Every Woman”. The campaign calls for women to join other women for conversation, support and companionship. Odara provides safe and secure environments for women to discuss sensitive topics that affect their community including grooming, mental health, domestic violence and extremism.
Home Secretary Theresa May said:
I am proud to be in Birmingham today to support organisations like Odara who work tirelessly to stand up against the extremists who seek to divide us.
Their work is vital because tackling extremism is not something that Government can do alone, which is why we are building a stronger Britain together.
We must work in partnership with local people and communities to challenge those who spread hatred and intolerance. Together we can defeat extremism.
The event comes after the Prime Minister pledged to back reforming voices in the fight against extremism in Britain’s communities in a speech in Birmingham last month.
Later this year the government will publish a comprehensive new strategy to tackle extremism in its widest sense: extreme right-wing and Islamist, violent and non-violent, as well as bringing in new legislation to counter extremism.