PRESS RELEASE: Anti racists to commemorate George Floyd to mark funeral
Tomorrow is George Floyd’s funeral, and Stand Up To Racism is holding a symbolic and socially distanced commemoration at the Nelson Mandela statue in Parliament Square, London.
The racist murder of George Floyd by a police officer has led a wave of opposition to racism and millions of people across the world taking a stand to say #BlackLivesMatter.
Meanwhile, the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 has shone a light on systemic injustices, but the government have attempted to cover this up by removing a section of the PHE report on institutional racism.
Stand Up To Racism is organising to turn the new wave of anger over racism and injustice into an effective movement for change.
Stand Up To Racism is in solidarity with all those protesting as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Stand Up To Racism is also conscious of the likely coming second spike in the Covid19 crisis, and has an active campaign highlighting the disproportionate BAME deaths which Stand Up To Racism is demanding a public inquiry on now.
Stand Up To Racism organised the #TakeTheKnee protests which went viral, as number one trending on Twitter, last Wednesday, and are now calling for this as a weekly action, 6pm every Wednesday.
Stand Up To Racism is also organising strictly socially distanced protests all over the country where people #TakeTheKnee as part of the wider movement. See more details on this here
Stand Up To Racism’s latest major online rally, ‘Black Lives Matter – We Demand Change, took place last night, Sumday 7 June, with almost 3,000 attending. Watch the rally here
Diane Abbott MP said
“I am standing in solidarity with the protestors. The death of George Floyd was shocking. But racial injustice and police brutality is not just an issue in the United States. And the shadow of the huge number of black deaths from Covid, in Britain and America, hangs over everything. We need to stand together internationally against institutional racism. The fight for fairness and justice continues.“
Weyman Bennett, co convenor Stand Up To Racism, said
“George Floyd’s life has been robbed from him and his family. We sent condolences and solidarity.
“The world mourns and calls out for justice. Humanity can only free at self from the shackles of racism if it breaks the chains of injustice. All of us can participate in celebrating his life and dedicating ourselves to the eradication of racism and demanding black lives matter.”
Sabby Dhalu, co convenor Stand Up To Racism, said
“As George Floyd is laid to rest, our thoughts are with the loved ones of George Floyd. The uprising of black communities and others against racism since Floyd was killed must lead to transformation against racial discrimination. We demand justice.”
For more info and further quotes/interviews
Info@standuptoracism.org.uk