Charlie Hebdo controversy comes to East London, reports Sabrina Ruffles.
French born Muslim cafe owner Adel Defilaux was subjected to violent threats after he displayed a sign saying Je Suis Charlie outside his Brick Lane premises.
After the Paris massacre when 12 people were murdered at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine, the proprietor decided to show solidarity with the satirists by displaying this message chalked on a board outside the AntiShop cafe.
But the message enraged a passer-by who threatened to come back and smash up the cafe. He also shouted that any one who supported the magazine deserved to die. When Mr Defilaux was unable to reason with the man and calm him down, he called the police.
Police are using CCTV footage to try to identify the man who issued the threats. He is described as an Asian male in his thirties, wearing jeans, a grey jumper and a scarf.
The altercation took place at 9.30am on 13 January. Mr Defilaux has been supported by customers on social media saying ‘feel free to display what you like’.
Sabrina Ruffles is Rising East‘s Crime Co-Editor.