BLACK LIVES MATTER - We Can’t Breathe - Justice for Sheku Bayoh

June 6th 2020

BLACK LIVES MATTER - We Can’t Breathe - Justice for Sheku Bayoh

June 6th 2020

As protests spread across the globe in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, the STUC has called a virtual protest: BLACK LIVES MATTER - We Can’t Breathe. Justice for Sheku Bayoh!

6pm Sunday 7th June

The STUC says it fully understands the depth of anger and desire to show solidarity that is moving people to attend the physical rally in Glasgow Green on Sunday. However, given the threat to our communities of coronavirus, it cannot in all conscience advise people to attend that event. Instead, on the 5th anniversary of the burial of Sheku Bayoh, it will hold a rally to reaffirm its support for the justice campaign and shine a spotlight on the racism experience by BAME people in Scotland on a daily basis.

Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary Designate said:

“A fresh light has been shone on the death and injury of black and minority ethnic people in the Scottish and UK justice systems. It is a violent and sickening symptom of a deeper and wider problem which poses questions for all of our institutions.
“It is our duty to ensure that what is happening now is not just a moment of anger and solidarity. Rather our duty is to make this a beginning of an examination of our response to racism and our commitment to stamp it out.

“That process can begin with redoubling all efforts to achieve justice for Sheku Bayoh.”

Usman Ali, Chair of the STUC Black Workers’ Committee said:

“Racism and discrimination have been long standing issues affecting Black and Minority Ethnic workers in Scotland and across the world. We have seen a sharp increase in racism since the health, social and economic pandemic of coronavirus started. We need to recognise and call out the issues affecting Scotland's Black workers including the type of job roles they are likely to perform, the low rate of pay they are often likely to receive, the poor treatment and conditions they are having to put up with. All of these issues affect Black and Minority Ethnic Workers and Communities here at home and across the world and if we do not face up and call out these realities, then we cannot begin to build the fairer, equal and just Scotland and World.”

ENDS

For further details: Dave Moxham 07891026870

Notes The virtual protest will be streamed to the STUC facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/scottishtuc/

Rally speakers

Kadie Johnson: Sister of Sheku Bayoh

Aamer Anwar: Lawyer for the Sheku Bayoh Family

Layla-Roxanne Hill: STUC Black Workers Committee

Suki Sangha: Trade union organiser and activist

Cllr Graham Campbell: SNP NEC BAME Convener

Usman Ali: Chair STUC Black Workers Committee

Keith Brown MSP

Anas Sarwar MSP

Hannah Lavery: Playwright

Rozanne Foyer: General Secretary Designate STUC