'Transform that sadness into hope for the next generation'
Campaigners in York are joining together - a year on from the death of George Floyd.
Today (25th May) marks a year since the murder of George Floyd - when a police officer pinned his neck to the ground for nearly nine minutes.
A mass #TakeTheKnee protest is being planned across the UK, as part of a week-long set of events which included a Stand Up To Racism protest at York Minster on Saturday.
Haddy Njie set up Speak Up Diversity in York in response to George Floyd's death - and the racist abuse she's received over the years: "I moved from London to York 6 years ago and was shocked at the level of racism myself and others experienced - both overtly and institutionally.
"I contacted my then MP Rachael Maskell (York Central) about this, and she was fully graceful and supportive.
"I've been faced with obstacles over the years, but last year we had a very historic moment when George Floyd was sadly killed. It helped the Black Lives Matters movement to re-emerge and what it's all about, but also people of all colour saw how bad racism is and how it affects everyone.
"It does happen (racism) and I don't want to go into the sad stories of what I experienced, or what my partner and people I know experienced - but they were horrific stories. Horrific ones; they'd make you think you don't live in the UK in the 21st century.
"I consider myself quite fortunate in terms of my employment and my living standards: I just worry and wonder about people in York who are less fortunate and who look like me - what must they be going through? That's what encouraged me and pushed me to take up this responsibility".
Haddy says she's joining other groups to campaign for a charter to make York an anti-racist city, and hopes remembering George Floyd can spur others into action: "It takes people who have courage and people who really do want to see the eradication of this issue.
"As long as we have the support from the public, the decision makers, the politicians and the media, then I'm hopeful that we can see real change in the city of York.
"It's a sad day today: we remember those who have died who are known to us, and also those who aren't known to us. You think about their families and friends; you think about George Floyd and you think about your father, or your uncle, or your husband.
"When I see him I think - this could have been me. I hope that all of us can come together and transform that sadness into hope for the next generation".