As coronavirus plagues the media, Londoners need an inspiring story now more than ever. Enter Councillor Gulcin Ozdemir
By Shaelyn Stout
Born and bred in Islington, councillor Gulcin Ozdemir, 27, was elected last December to represent St. George’s ward (just north of Holloway).
Prior to the Coronavirus scare, Ozdemir had been hitting the streets of Islington post-election to hear from underrepresented constituents. Currently she is cracking down on air pollution near primary schools.
When asked about her first few months as councillor, she explained:
“You don’t realise how you can impact others as a young woman of an ethnic minority,” noting her Kurdish background.
Growing up in north London, Ozdemir realised those of ethnic minority groups do not always have a platform to express their needs or concerns. Language barriers and education inequalities often prevent or discourage such groups from speaking out.
To end that silence, Ozdemir had been knocking on doors across St. George’s ward in Islington to hear constituents’ concerns; these efforts are on hold for the Coronavirus social distancing period. While many politicians go door-to-door during elections, councillor Ozdemir is continuing these conversations in order to give minority groups (and any other constituents) the opportunity to discuss their needs.
“I don’t want to assume what people need. It’s my responsibility to break these barriers.” Ozdemir noted.
One of Ozdemir’s ongoing challenges is to keep Islington’s air safe and clean. She has been working to stop an Ocado delivery hub from being built next to Yerbury Primary School in Archway.
The online grocery store has considered Ozdemir and the rest of Islington council’s concerns, but “the proposals [Ocado made] go nowhere near far enough to address the concerns of the council and the community” according to council leader Richard Watts.
According to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, “Evidence has linked air pollutants to a variety of adverse respiratory outcomes in children, from higher rates of bronchitis to an increased incidence of asthma.”
The Ocado hub will emit harmful pollutants from large delivery vehicles driving and parking next to Yerbury Primary School.
When asked about this issue, Ozdemir said “This is clearly a terrible idea that will impact the safety of our children.”
Being brought up in Islington, Ozdemir is dedicated to putting the needs of her constituents and their children first. Through these trying times, let’s not forget the power of local politics and the steps people like councillor Ozdemir are taking to make London a safer city for us all.
Ozdemir has surgeries on the second Saturday of each month from 11am to 12pm at Cat and Mouse Library, 277 Camden Road, N7 N7 0JN and on the first Wednesday of each month from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at St George’s Church, Crayford Road, N7 0ND.
Please note there is no word yet as to whether or not Islington council surgeries will be postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19.
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