Yesterday, like many, we reflected on the life and death of George Floyd.
A year ago on May 25th, the incidents that unfolded in Minnesota cut into the lives of Black, Asian, mixed-heritage and minoritised communities across the world. It showed us the scale of racial injustice, and the work needed to be done to address it globally and within our own circles. Although Derek Chauvin was found guilty and convicted of murder and manslaughter in April 2021 (which went some way towards acknowledgement and ownership of the crime) we know that a deeper psychological and emotional well still lies beyond this in the everyday lived reality of the tragedy.
Our thoughts are with George's family in the USA, and communities and families still grappling with years of institutional racism. We stand with you.
Since that day in May 2020, many have been called to action by the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and found a renewed vigour in their work.
We have also seen widespread unrest and calls for reform here in the UK.
There has been a closer look at the stories of Christopher Alder; Sean Rigg; Sheku Bayoh; Mikey Powell; Zahid Mubarek; Joy Gardner; Cynthia Jarrett; Kingsley Burrell; Roger Sylvester amongst others who have come into contact with the UK’s criminal justice system, and disproportionately, negatively and fatally impacted because of their race and ethnicity. The recent case of Mohamud Mohammed Hassan in Cardiff shows that this is a history that continues.
Along with this, we are aware there is also a general fear in civil society that the government’s commitments towards upholding its equality duties and addressing race disparity are being eroded. The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities Report, alongside recent changes proposed in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill have again drawn attention to the barriers the UK faces in addressing racial inequality on a structural level. In particular, campaigners across the race equality sector are warning that the certain legislation in the Bill risks entrenching inequalities that already exist in our criminal justice system.
For this reason the #BlackLivesMatter movement must not stop because we are a year on from George Floyd’s death. It does not stop now that the UK is attempting a return to normality after the pandemic. We must learn our lessons and apply them early. So today, we're urging you, reader, to help us #EndCJSinequality in the UK whilst we have the chance by supporting our new campaign - coordinated by a collective of race equality and criminal justice organisations.
We are united in urging government to withdraw discriminatory clauses in the PCSC Bill to prevent the deepening of racial inequality in the UK's criminal justice system, and to bring the conversation on race equality forwards by consulting with Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups most affected by racial injustice. Find out more about the campaign and sign here.
Please share as a matter of urgency. Thank you.