Read Ed Davey's message October is Black History Month — an opportunity to celebrate the enormous contributions that Black people have made across our country.
From Mary Prince to Paul Stephenson, so many Black pioneers have
transformed our society’s cultural and political landscapes. We owe a great
debt to everything they have achieved.
Yet here in the UK, far too many people’s
lives are still blighted by discrimination, inequality and injustice.
This Summer, the Euros championship exposed the best and worst of our country’s
relationship with race. The incredible achievements of Black players like
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka made us all proud. They united
the whole country behind them — and most courageously, these young Black men
took the knee to protest the racism that they have sadly experienced.
But they were met with abuse from a small minority of the public. These heroes
were booed and subjected to vile, racist online abuse — actions that were
emboldened by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary’s refusal to support their
brave protest.
Our country needs leaders who will unequivocally condemn racism in all its
forms, and give their full support to those who — having experienced it —
challenge it.
Liberal Democrats exist to fight for justice, liberty and equality.
I’m proud that we continue to fight for racial justice — and it’s clear there
is still so much more to do.
That’s why we are campaigning to abolish the Conservatives’ cruel and
discriminatory Hostile Environment, and end the disproportionate use of Stop
and Search. And we will keep working to combat racism — whether
conscious or unconscious, individual or institutional — wherever we find it.
Over the next month, I hope you will join me in reflecting on the great
accomplishments of Black communities and working to build on their legacies.
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