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Parents of murdered black teenager Trayvon Martin to address public meeting and vigil in London tomorrow
The parents of the murdered US African American boy Trayvon Martin, Tracy Martin & Sybrina Fulton will speak tomorrow, Friday 11th of May at a public meeting and vigil (details of both events below).
The Trayvon Martin family issued the following statement:
"We are humbled by the support we have received from the people in London and around the world. The struggle of people like Doreen Lawrence in Britain, who invited us here and whom we met yesterday, shows us that as in the USA, there is a problem of racial profiling in society and amongst institutions. We would like to work with people here in London and around the world to help end the scourge of racial injustice across the globe."
Zita Holbourne, National Co-Chair Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK said:
"We are delighted to be able to host this meeting and like many people throughout the world we are both angered and saddened at the news of Trayvon Martin's murder. This meeting will offer the opportunity for people to hear first hand what happened to the Trayvon Martin family and offer support and solidarity to them and for us to discuss how we can work together in order to tackle racial injustice globally."
Lee Jasper, National Co-Chair Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK said,
"In the run up to the Olympics we intend to work with others to highlight racism here in Britain and throughout the world. The case of Trayvon Martin echoes cases that span decades and continents. Global racism is on the rise and as the economic crisis worsens we must be organise against those who seek to whip up racism and scapegoat black communities. This meeting will be the start of that international campaign to expose racism in Britain and the rest of the world. All over the world the 99% are saying without justice there can be no peace"
Sabby Dhalu, Unite Against Fascism Joint Secretary and One Society Many Cultures Secretary said:
"We are delighted to welcome the Martin family and show solidarity with both the family and the anti-racist movement in the USA. The struggle against racism is an international one. There are many similarities with the Trayvon Martin case, the injustice experienced by Stephen Lawrence's family and many other victims of racist attacks and murders here in Britain. We welcome the opportunity to work with the family and partners in the USA, in building an international movement against racism."
Event details
Friday 11 May
1. 3-5pm: Public meeting at the University of London Union, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London
Chair: Zita Holbourne PCS executive member and Co Chair of Black Activists Rising Against the Cuts (BARAC)
Speakers: Trayvon Martin family representatives and activists Lee Jasper, Stafford Scott, Carole Duggan (Duggan Family Campaign) Simon Woolley (Operation Black Vote) Michael Abatan (Justice for Jay Campaign), Michael Kennedy (Campaign for Justice) Kanja Sesay National Union of Students (NUS) Black Students Officer, Aaron Kiely (NUS Black Students Campaign) , Weyman Bennett and Sabby Dhalu (Unite Against Fascism), Denis Fernando (One Society Many Cultures) and more British based activists tbc
Organised by BARAC and supported by Unite Against Fascism, One Society Many Cultures in conjunction with Million Hoodies Movement in the USA.
For more information for this event contact
Zita Holbourne 07711 861660
Lee Jasper 07984 181797
2. 6pm: Vigil, Downing Street, London
Chair: Denis Fernando, One Society Many Cultures
Speakers will include: those listed above and many more special guests tbc
Organised by: Unite Against Fascism and One Society Many Cultures, supported by BARAC, in conjunction with Million Hoodies Movement USA.
For more information about this event contact
Sabby Dhalu 07794 633 097
Denis Fernando 07790022472
Weyman Bennett 07734 032 314
