'Life experiences changed my racist opinions'

Nathan Murdoch said education and life experiences changed his views

A street artist who said he grew up on a council estate with “racists opinions” was “proud to see his city standing together in unity” when hundreds of people gathered for an anti-racism protest on Wednesday.

Peterborough artist Nathan Murdoch, from Streets Arts Hire, said he changed his views through life experiences and meeting different people.

His artwork on Taveners Road, showing two hands of different colours joining to make a heart, got global recognition following the Black Lives Matter movement in 2019.

He said: "As my experiences grew and I got educated, I understood there’s good and bad in [all] people. We see people and not colour. That’s what I teach my children."

He added: "Growing up in a poor council estate, I had a racist opinion. But life experiences, meeting people, I learnt it was wrong.

"I have had really positive experience in Peterborough. Even this week I was in diverse parts of the city and felt so welcomed.

"The protests has had a lot of people supporting each other. The city has made me proud to see it standing together in unity."

During the recent unrest in the UK, the city’s Muslim community said they felt “at edge” and “anxious”.

Following the anti-racism protests they felt “reassured to some extent” and said “peace and hope have won over hate”.

The congregations gathered across Peterborough’s mosques for the first Friday prayers since the disorder began. They had previously reduced their opening hours as a precaution.

Sharaz Khan, 34, who attended Friday prayers at Faizan-E-Madina Mosque on Gladstone Street, said it was “brilliant to see the diverse communities get together”.

“We as a community remain nervous but we need to move forward,” he added.

Sharaz Khan said he had felt uneasy for his family

Thousands of Muslims performed the Friday prayers across Peterborough's mosques

Maggie Norris who has lived in Peterborough for 40 years said it was “excellent to see everything wrap up peacefully.”

Ollie Norris feared there could be trouble in the city but was “amazed” at how it remained calm.

“It’s so multicultural here," he said.

"The hate is purely stirred up by 'we know who' which is a shame.”

Maggie and Ollie Norris who have lived in Peterborough for 40 years.

Tom, 15, said the anti-racism messages showed “people have kindness in their hearts”, while Emily, 13, said growing up in a diverse city was “interesting”.

Jennie Hiller said Peterborough is a “very welcoming city”.

“We have a very strong community here”, she added.

A spokesperson from Cambridgeshire Police said there was "no disorder" in Peterborough on Wednesday night "but a peaceful counter-protest took place" on Lincoln Road.

Jennie Hillier with Tom and Emily said "Peterborough is a very welcoming city"