[Reproduced from Change.Org email, with thanks]
| The three police officers that stood by and watched as Black civilian George Floyd was killed by a white Police officer were finally taken into custody and charged. In a senseless wrongful killing like this, it should have been expected. But, with the long history of Black people dying at the hands of the police and many families never seeing justice – this felt like some sort of victory.
Of course, as 15-year-old petition starter Kellen put it “it was never just about charges”. It’s about real justice for George’s family. It’s about the hundreds of thousands of Black people, not just in America, but around the world who have wrongfully been killed by the police. We often think about this as an America problem, but it’s important we remember to look closer to home for the part the UK plays in systemic racism. At first after seeing the video of George Floyd I didn’t feel like protesting, I just felt grief-stricken and exhausted. It feels like as Black people we have been fighting forever. In 2015, I went out on the streets for the killing of Trayvon Martin and Sheku Bayoh. 20 years before that my Mum was on the streets protesting for Black lives, and before that her Mother was fighting too. I wasn’t sure I had it in me to fight anymore. But now is an unprecedented moment, and as tired as I might be, it doesn’t feel like a moment to hide from. No matter who you are, or what your background, it’s not enough to not be racist. We all need to speak up. Many of you are already doing it, we’ve seen more petitions started calling for racial justice, than ever before. Change is possible. So I’d like to share with you a list of ways you can speak up and take action against racism right here in the UK. |
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| The fight for justice against brutality is not new. Sheku Bayoh’s family have been fighting for over 5 years to find out the truth behind how he died. He was detained in police custody near Edinburgh and he did not leave alive. A public inquiry has been announced and the family hope it will lead to answers. Will you help them keep up the pressure by signing? |
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| Urgent action from the UK Government is being called for to halt exports of rubber bullets, tear-gas and riot shields to the US. News reports show the US police using these against peaceful protestors who are campaigning for Justice For George Floyd. |
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| Belly Mujinga is a railway worker who died of Covid-19 after she was spat at during work. Her family says her employer Govia Thameslink didn’t protect her. They are calling on for better protection for workers, starting with PPE. |
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| This week a report released in the UK showed BAME people were twice as likely to die from Covid-19. Ashok is urging the Government to address structural issues by creating a Covid-19 race equality strategy.
Thank you for being there. Black Lives Matter – always. Pascale Frazer-Carroll, Associate Campaigns Director P.S. another way to be active in your allyship with the Black community is to familiarise yourself with organisations fighting to end racism. Donate what you can. From the international movement Black Lives Matter and UK education charity Show Racism the Red Card to The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust who are transforming young lives. |
