London isn't immune to what's happening across the border, rally-goers say

It was a peaceful demonstration in response to a heinous attack that killed one woman and injured 19 others during an anti-hate rally in Charlottesville, Va., last week.

More than 250 Londoners stood shoulder to shoulder Wednesday at Victoria Park armed with handmade banners and musical sentiments that carried throughout London's downtown.

• London groups hold solidarity rally with Charlottesville against hate

The message was clear: 'No hate, only love'

It was plastered on the cardboard sign that Lach Lon's carried amid others that read 'no hate no fear' and 'no one is free while others are oppressed'.

However, the nine-year-old wiped tears with his free hand, afraid of what his future will bring.

"There's a lot of bad things happening in the world It scares me a lot," he said. "I don't want to get hurt and I don't want other people to get hurt."

It's a genuine concern right here in our own backyard, said Katu Azzya, who identifies as a black man in the LGBTQ community.

"I've been the victim of racism more than once, and I've been the victim of anti-gayness," he said. "Help was short to come and sometimes never bothered to come."

Azzya, who has deep roots in London's Pride community performing as a drag queen, recalled a darker time living in London.

"I know what it's like to be beat up. I know what it's like to be spat on. I know what It's like to have dog dirt stuffed in my face," he said. "Just because you don't see itdoesn't mean it doesn't happen, and when you think it doesn't happen then you've just dismissed the people who are hurt and going through it."

Najwa Zebian, a teacher and poet in London, encouraged people to take steps to discourage hateful attacks happening in their own community.

"We need to plant the seeds in our children's hearts as they're growing," she said. "To change for the next generation, we need to start with our children, we need start with our educational system."

She said one way to shed light on community issues is by better integrating cultural sensitivity lessons into the educational curriculum.

'It's in our backyard'

Roberta Cory is the co-chair of the Council of Canadians London branch, one of the peace groups who organized Wednesdays' rally.

"It is in our backyard," said Cory, of anti-Islamic demonstrations in London.

Last month, the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West (PEGIDA) congregated outside of city hall, where they'll return later this month to be greeted by a counter-protest organized by human rights groups.

Several Londoners are calling on local politicians to speak out during thatgathering.

As for Lon, he has one message he hopes will unite everyone.

"You should never hate anybody if you are not their religion," he said.