By Jane Haynes

Copyright birminghammail

Women, girls and families are gathering in unity tonight in Oldbury close to where a young woman was sexually attacked to send a strong message condeming violence. The event, organised by a cross-faith and cross-community alliance of groups, is to show solidarity with the victim of this and other attacks against women and girls, including those that are racially motivated. It will take place at Jubilee play area close to the scene of the attack in Tame Road, from 6pm tonight, with candles lit in support. West Midlands Police continue to investigate the incident, which occurred before 8.30am on Tuesday September 9 in a park area close to the M5 motorway bridge passing over the road. One man has been arrested in connection with the incident. READ MORE: Birmingham residents present ‘colourful’ alternative to flying St George’s flags The victim was a young woman of Sikh faith, attacked as she walked to work. A second sexual attack occurred the same day, about four hours later, in parkland in West Bromwich in what police say was an unconnected incident. A man has been charged with rape and appeared in court. The organisers of the vigil said it was being done to send a message of solidarity and love to ‘all the women and girls who are victims of gender-based, sexual and racially motivated violence in our area.’ People of all faiths and backgrounds are being urged to stand together in solidarity at the event. Police patrols have been stepped up in and around the area to provide a reassuring presence while the investigation continues. The organisation WAITS, women acting in today’s society, said they would be among those gathering to stand in solidarity. “We gather not just for her but for the countless women whose lives have been scarred by violence against women and girls….no woman should ever be reduced, silenced or dehumanised,” said the group’s statement of support. READ MORE: Home Secretary issues angry response to ‘racially motivated’ Oldbury rape case The organisers say all are welcome. A previous event, held outside Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick and then at the attack scene, drew a crowd of mainly Sikh community members united in anger and support for the victim and her family. The controversial Sikh Youth UK organisation has decried tonight’s multi-faith event and insisted any events linked to the Oldbury attack must be Sikh led, at the victim’s behest. But those involved say their intention is to illustrate the widespread impact of the shocking incident on all women, and particularly women of colour, who fear the current anti-migrant narrative espoused at the weekend nationalist rally in London and across social media ‘incites racist violence’. A collaborative of South Asian groups have also expressed their support and pressed for the Government to do more to shut down racists and those who encourage racism. Signatories to a hard hitting letter on the issue include Black Lives Matter, Birmingham Black Sisters, the Migrant Rights’ Network, Women Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants (WARM) and Birmingham Race Impact Group.