The murder of George Floyd: One year on
Today marks one year since George Floyd was murdered at the hands of a white police officer
The murder of George Floyd one year ago today captured the world’s attention and sparked a global Black Lives Matter movement.
Killed at the hands of a white police officer, George Floyd’s death became a focus point for greater equality.
A viral video, which saw a police officer kneel on George Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes 29 seconds as he struggled to breathe, came to represent systemic racism across the world.
In the aftermath of his death, thousands of people around the world joined protests and demonstrations against racism.
The toppling of a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol catalysed schools, buildings and roads that celebrated such figures to change their names.
In America earlier this year, Derek Chauvin, the police officer who murdered George Floyd, was found “guilty, guilty, guilty” on counts of second-degree murder, third degree murder and second-hand manslaughter.
However, while the murder conviction and the removal of slave trader statues may mark some change, some campaigners argue that racial equality in the UK has actually worsened in the year following the death of George Floyd.
The Government's report on racism
The UK Government’s report on racism earlier this year which found “no evidence of institutional racism” in the UK proved hugely controversial, with the Labour party dismissing it as “cherry picking” statistics.
The report, which was commissioned last year by Boris Johnson in response to the Black Lives Matter protests, was described by Labour MP David Lammy as an “insult to anybody and everybody across this county who experiences institutional racism”.
Regarding the progress of race relations, founder of the Black Reformist Movement (BRM) Imarn Ayton said that the UK had taken “one step forward and five steps back” and described the race report as having "undermined those pivotal conversations" of the past year.
Ms Ayton added: “We were just about making progress, and now we’re actually going backwards, we’re in a regressive state."
A week of action
One year on, protests continue to take place in the UK, with demonstrators calling for "justice" in the face of "systemic racism which exists in the UK".
At a protest in London on Saturday, organiser Elizabeth Adofo said: "it’s been one year since everyone across the world marched in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
“We’re here to say it’s still important, even after the cameras stop showing up, even after the big crowds on the streets, it is still important to spread that message.
“It doesn’t matter that Derek Chauvin got convicted, that is a small amount of justice of what he really deserves.”
Peoples across Lincolnshire and Newark have been sharing their experience.
Angeletia Padmore-Clark had racist graffiti scrawled on her front door.
"It made me feel sad because my son saw it, who was 12. I was shocked because this is where we live.
"I didn't expect this sort of treatment or behaviour from others, but I'm not surprised. When I went to university I had discriminatory words shouted at me in the street and I was even egged at 2am on my way home from uni.
"Since George Floyds brutal, tragic, disgusting murder a lot of awareness has been raised. I think there has been positive change as we're having conversations about basic racism and discrimination.
"The key word and the key direction is education. It begins with eliminating just the lack of knowledge and understanding, the ignorance around race."
Leonard Chatonzwa is a member of Black Lives Matter Lincoln and said he's proud of the campaigns impact.
"Some people thought it was just a phase and some people were just doing it for show and after a few months when it had been forgotten about people would stop supporting it.
"It's nice to see that there are still some stores and stuff that are still showing support towards the movement.
"It's all about making people aware of the issues so they can move forward with that knowledge and make that conscious decision to change to make people feel more safe and welcome within the community.
Reverend John Carter is Minister to Lincoln Unitarian Chapel, he grew up in America, and keeps in touch with friends there.
"They are hoping his conviction will start a change, but unfortunately the status quo has also started fighting back.
"There's a hopefulness, but no one is holding their breath, they are cautious.
"The culture of policing is pretty brutal and it's going to take a lot longer than a year to change
"My fear with the conviction is that people will think it's now been settled, when actually this should be the starting block to really deal with the way policing is done, not just in the US, here in the UK as well."