Following the shocking death of Freddie Gray, the latest of a long line of deaths and violent assaults against black people in America at the hands of the police, Stand up to Racism called a vigil at the US Embassy this Wednesday which saw US activists join us to show solidarity with the family of Freddie Gray and with those protesting against the racist brutality of the Police.
Diane Abbott said:
“My full solidarity and condolences go out to the family of Freddie Gray following his horffic death in Police custody. My heart also goes out to the citizens of Baltimore where I have close friends.
“The US coined the term ‘Institutional racism’ but both of our nations clearly have yet to wake up to its shocking reality. Enough is enough. Today’s protest says Black lives matter – there is global unity against racist injustice that stretches from London to Baltimore.”
Sabby Dhalu of Stand up to racism said:
“We fully support the family of Freddie Gray and all those who have had their loved ones die or face injury at the hands of the police. We cannot and will not forget the long list of names from Travyon Martin, Tamir Rice, Mike Brown, to Eric Garner, this long list is a damning indictment of the racism that Black communities face in the US. These so-called riots would stop if Black people were not killed in police custody and police officers responsible were brought to justice. There cannot be peace without justice. The same institutional racism and suffering of Black people from racist murders on the streets to deaths in police custody with no justice, prevails in Britain. From Baltimore to London Black lives matter, stand up to racism.”
Weyman Bennett of Stand up to racism said:
“Black communities worldwide will know the bitter pain of injustice at the hands of institutionally racist police that the families of Freddie Gray and others are facing. We must stand up to racism, just as the Selma protesters did before us. We show solidarity with Freddie Gray’s family and the Black Lives Matter movement who are striving for justice.”