CAMPAIGNERS took to Oxford’s streets to call for the city to oppose racism in all its forms.

Oxford Stand Up to Racism organised an event in Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, to counter hate letters and packages sent to Muslims around the country.

The letters and parcels threatened to start a ‘Punish a Muslim Day’ in which people would be congratulated for burning down a mosque or pulling off a woman’s headscarf.

But the alternative campaign in Oxford was backed by 40 political figures, including Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds, trade unionists and a number of Labour and Green Party councillors.

Ian Mckendrick, Oxford Stand Up To Racism spokesman, said: “We condemn the obscene hate-letter campaign and hate crimes directed at Muslim members of our community. We are neighbours, friends and workmates. We urge everyone to join standing up to Islamophobia, antisemitism and racism.”