Staffordshire and Cheshire marks one year since the murder of George Floyd
Vigils and demonstrations are taking place today marking one year since George Floyd was murdered at the hands of a white police officer
Last updated 25th May 2021
People across Staffordshire and Cheshire are remembering the murder of George Floyd today one year on since it 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.
Many are expected to gather at Hanley Park at 5:30pm for a George Floyd Memorial Day vigil - to take a knee, read poetry and speeches and light candles all in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
Sarah Chevolleau is Director of Staffordshire Association for Black Lives Equality (SABLE). She said:
"I believe that since the death of George Floyd, there has been progress made, and that should not be taken by any small measure at all. But that does not mean that there still is not a lot of work to be done.
"I think the positive thing to come out of it is that people now look at the different types of racism, and you have people who are in the positions to change the narrative, who are actually coming out and being more receptive to the message from black people and from the black community.
"This is hundreds of years in the making this movement."
"So for example, systemic and structural racism, I think the fact that a lot is now being shone on that, that is how we move forward. It's changing the structures and systems that oppress and disadvantage black people in the UK.
"The figures that we look at - whether it be in health and social care, Children Services, the criminal justice system, education, all throughout the systems of the UK - still need massive reform, and massive restructure.
"We know that George Floyd was basically the straw that broke the camel's back."
"So moving forward, we need to be examining things even more so. And we will have to take a collective responsibility to really change the whole narrative of racism in all its forms.
"The vigil is just kind of a sign of hope. We've asked people to bring flowers, signs, candles - it's just for people to sit back and think about what it really meant.
"We want to look back over the last 12 months and to gather some strength, and you know, when to be a beacon of hope to others who want to help towards this activism and help towards the message of Black Lives Matter.
"We still have a long way to go."
"It's a chance for us as a community to obviously be together again, and to process what has been probably quite difficult to do. So it will be an emotional day. I would say that there's a real sense of reflection in the community.
"In the last 12 months, so much has happened that I think people are still processing and obviously with the recent verdict of Derek Chauvin, there is a lot of mixed emotions within the community. I do believe there is some anger there and I think rightfully so. But I think there's a sense of hope for the progress that has been made and does continue to go on."
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.”