In a disturbing incident, a restaurant in London has faced significant racial abuse shortly after its recent opening. The establishment, named the Axe and Ember Smokehouse, is located in Walthamstow, east London, and has been open for merely five days.
On a Sunday evening, both patrons and staff were subjected to hateful remarks, including derogatory slurs, when the restaurant began its service. Witnesses reported that a woman outside the restaurant displayed a ‘thumbs down’ gesture prior to the owner, Uzma Hussain, approaching her. Following this interaction, Hussain experienced a verbal assault that lasted approximately half an hour.
Hussain, who also works as a lawyer, expressed her shock at the incident, stating, „I have only ever had positive experiences, so I just went into shock when she started calling me all of these horrible names.“ Video evidence captured the woman hurling multiple slurs, including, „You are not from here.“ In an attempt to intervene, a passerby advised the woman to „take those opinions home,“ prompting her to respond aggressively.
Community Response
Uzma and her husband, Rizwan, invested their life savings into establishing the Axe and Ember Smokehouse after Rizwan decided to transition from a long career in finance to entrepreneurship. Reflecting on their decision to open the restaurant in Walthamstow, Uzma remarked, „My one requirement was that it had to be in Walthamstow as it was my home and I loved it here.“ The nature of the assault only heightened the distress of the situation.
Despite the negative experience, the restaurant has garnered support from the community. Customers came forward to show solidarity with Hussain, but unfortunately faced harassment as well. One patron, named Jimmy, remarked on the sad nature of the events, emphasizing the challenges the new business is encountering.
Ongoing Investigation
In the aftermath of these events, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault and remains in custody. In light of the incident, Uzma shared her gratitude for the overwhelming messages of support she has received, noting, „We have been inundated with messages asking if we are okay. Everyone who heard what was going on tried to intervene – it really is heartwarming.“ Community members have rallied around the restaurant, underscoring a collective stance against racism.
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