Town residents to kneel in memory of George Floyd and against racism
Black Lives Matter protest at The Forum in Norwich on Sunday, June 7, 2020. Picture: Eloise Ray - Credit: Archant
People from Bungay are planning to join together and kneel in memory of George Floyd and to condemn racism in the UK.
Bungay's Buttercross. Picture: Archant Library - Credit: Archant Library
This Wednesday, June 10, at 6pm, a group of Bungay residents will kneel for eight minutes and 48 seconds, the amount of time which US citizen George Floyd has his neck pressed on by police officers before his death, to stand against racism.
It is part of a national action organised by Black Lives Matter to note police injustices in both the United States and Britain, according to Laila France, who is helping to organise the demonstration in Bungay.
“We hope to change the ways that people act to those of non-white skin colour,” Mrs France said.
READ MORE: Campaigners unite in support of George Floyd protesters
“I attended the online Norwich protest on Sunday, and we heard lots of young voices talking about their current experiences of racism in the area.
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“I have been here since I was four years old, and we as a family have experienced quite a bit of racism, though the worst of it was in the late-1970s.”
With the discussion on racial injustice once again centre stage following George Floyd’s death, Mrs France said she hoped “people would reconsider” the ways Black and minority ethnic groups are treated in our country.
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She said: “For a long time I haven’t come across racism myself, but hearing similar stories to those of mine, I think we really need to get the issues back out there.
“Young people across the board are a lot more conscious of doing the right thing, and I hope people have learned over the years, but clearly what I heard from the Norwich protests is racism still goes on.
READ MORE: Peaceful Black Lives Matter protest live-streamed from Norwich’s Eaton Park
“It’s vitally important we all - including the white community - share our opinions and experiences on the way people treat each other. Every living creature should be treated the same.”
Those who wish to join in can either kneel from their own doorsteps or join Mrs France and other demonstrators at the Buttercross and along St. Mary’s road, but are urged to wear masks and remain socially distant if they attend the demonstration.
