Walsall Councillor Mike Bird (Conservative Party) is currently under police investigation for his deeply offensive and Islamophobic actions after he repeatedly disrupted COVID-19-compliant burials by hurling abuse at mourners at Walsall Jamia Masjid Ghausia, according to several eyewitness reports.

As reported by the Birmingham Mail, Walsall residents have been enduring Councillor Bird's verbal abuse and false allegations during funerals at a local mosque since April 2020, despite the mosque committee ensuring that all funerals have complied with the council’s COVID-19 regulations and have been conducted in accordance with the guidance of Walsall Council's Principal Bereavement Services Officer. Councillor Bird’s actions on these occasions caused a great deal of emotional distress to grieving family members at an already traumatic time and have created severe community tensions wherein local Muslim residents feel to be a target for abuse, even from their elected representatives. Councillor Bird’s actions on these occasions amounted to the harassment of minority communities. By falsely and publicly blaming them for an increased prevalence of COVID-19, his actions make an already vulnerable community a greater target of scapegoating, marginalisation, and abuse.

Appropriate action must be taken to restore local confidence in the council’s ability to fairly represent the communities that they serve. Due to Councillor Bird's unacceptable conduct, which is in my opinion clear breach of Walsall Council's code of conduct and may be considered to constitute religiously aggravated offences, a formal complaint against him has been submitted that is now under investigation by the police.

By signing this petition, we request that this complaint is thoroughly investigated and appropriate disciplinary action is taken against Councillor Mike Bird. It is our belief that the seriousness of his actions merits his removal from his position on the council and the removal of the Conservative party whip.