Black Lives Matter - Citizens UK's response to the murder of George Floyd
Citizens UK releases a statement on the murder of George Floyd, and a call to redouble efforts in tackling issues of structural racism affecting black people.
Clive Foster , Nottingham Citizens leader and Senior Minister Pilgrim Church said:
"The dreadful video showing the killing of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, while in police custody in Minnesota, USA has caused widespread revulsion and reaction around the world.
As New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said, "he was killed because he was black".
Sadly this is just not an isolated incident but the result of decades of structural racism.
This awful act of brutality strengthens our resolve that the scourge of racism and hatred cannot be tolerated or ignored by any of us in our society.
We stand with the family of George Floyd, and in solidarity with all those who are peacefully protesting against all forms of racism and hate crime in our society. Individually and together, we commit to continue to work for justice and systemic change."
Matthew Bolton, Executive Director at Citizens UK said: "Citizens UK stands in solidarity with black communities around the world. The horrific murder of George Floyd in the United States has woken the world up yet again to the injustices that black people face in society. This isn't something that's only happening in the US - black people in our membership and across the UK are facing discrimination and abuse every day. We can't be silent in the fight for racial justice for black people - we need to act, and act now.
At Citizens UK, we will redouble our efforts in tackling issues of injustice and structural racism including around youth violence, Living Wage and hate crime."