Hertford and Stortford Constituency Labour Party take this opportunity to release a statement in regards to the murder of George Floyd and the current situation in the United States of America.
We wanted to make clear our solidarity with the friends, family and community of George Floyd, with the wider African American community and with their call for fairness, equality and safety from persecution.
We recognise that George Floyd’s tragic death is not an isolated incident. It is the latest in a long line of tragedies inflicted upon the African American community through discriminatory state violence.
We also recognise that the shockwaves of what is happening in America extend far beyond its borders. There will be many black members of our own community feeling anger, hurt and fear as they watch these events unfold. Hertford & Stortford CLP stands shoulder to shoulder with all those in America, in our community and across the world who will be feeling very strong emotions.
It is vital that we also recognise that the United Kingdom is not immune from state-sanctioned racism. Black people in the UK disproportionately suffer from the use of police force, are over- represented in the prison population and are more likely to be sent to prison than white offenders. We must continue to stand with the black community and against discrimination.
There will be much discussion around these issues over the coming days and weeks, especially online and on social media. We strongly encourage all those who can to take this opportunity to watch, listen and educate yourself on these issues. Educate those around you and speak out in support of the black community here, in America and across the world.
If you wish to take further action, we encourage you to visit the Black Lives Matter website or donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund if you can:
BLM Website blacklivesmatter.com
Minnesota Freedom Fund minnesotafreedomfund.org
In solidarity,
Hertford and Stortford Constituency Labour Party
