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Day of Action - take a knee for George Floyd
6 PM Wednesday 3rd June
Stand up To Racism has called for UK wide coordinated action (https://www.facebook.com/events/683012182475939/) to demand #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd and against disproportionate #BME deaths from Covid-19. We demand a #PublicEnquiryNow
Stand Up To Racism is asking all supporters to take what action they can on Wednesday. Wherever you are at 6pm come outside and #TakeAKneeForGeorgeFloyd.
A poster can be downloaded from https://www.myqnapcloud.com/smartshare/65eik697np2m26758u9538zb_6qTFLag
Share your pictures on social media and send us a copy for the Oxford tand Up To Racism album.
We are also organising a socially distanced group protest. If you are interested in taking part please email contact@oxfordstanduptoracism.org.uk or message us here and we will send out details and instructions to ensure we can have a safe protest which does not put anyone at risk. We do not want a situation where we are contributing to the disproportionate number of BAME deaths from Covid-19.
Please click going and share to show your support.
Statement on reopening of schools
Stand Up To Racism has issued a statement expressing grave concern over the effect of the Government's push to reopen schools on families and workers from BAME communities. The statement, agreed in a meeting with officers and stakeholders, is as follows:
"We are concerned about government proposals to further ease the lockdown and the wider reopening of schools on 1 June 2020. The UK has one of the highest infection rates and death tolls in the entire world, and at the moment the daily increase in new infections and deaths is still too high to be confident of a safe wider reopening of schools on 1 June 2020. Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus and around 28 per cent of deaths were people from BAME communities.
We are particularly concerned about the possibility of the wider reopening of schools risking a second wave of infections, that disproportionately impacts on BAME communities. We note that 70 per cent of NEU black members feel unsafe about returning to work. We are concerned about the safety of all school staff, pupils and their families. We support the NEU, NASUWT, UNITE, UNISON, GMB and other unions organising staff in schools. We believe the NEU’s five tests must be met before the wider reopening of schools."
The next week weeks will be crucial - we encourage all anti-racists to support calls by trade unions to only go back to school when it is safe, and amplify the genuine concerns from BAME families and workers over the impact a premature reopening would have.
- Please suport the Oxford 'No Going Back Until It's Safe' meeting with parents, teachers, healthworkers and councillors https://www.facebook.com/events/1931303593669887/
- Click here to SIGN THE STATEMENT - No premature end to the lockdown, Public Inquiry Now! bit.ly/sutrstatement
- Click here to DONATE to our work, and keep the anti-racist movement going at this crucial time bit.ly/sutrdonate
Lobby your MP to support the Early Day Motion for an independent public inquiry on disproportionate BAME deaths
Ever since Stand Up To Racism’s online meeting on 28th April heard from our President Diane Abbott MP and others on why we need an independent public inquiry into disproportionate BAME deaths as well as action now to protect people, SUTR activists across the country have been building pressure and gathering support for this demand.
Now more and more people are demanding an independent inquiry, and Diane Abbott has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons which:
“Calls for a full independent public inquiry into the disproportionate effect of covid-19 on BAME communities; and urges the Government to ensure any such inquiry provides key findings and offers clear recommendations for systemic and transformational change in the role of the public sector and race equality.”
16 MPs have signed as of writing this article, now we need your help to lobby more MPs to sign up.
The EDM can be found here on the Parliament Website. You can find your MP their email adress here. To lobby your MP to sign, just drop them a short email with a link to the EDM and why you feel it’s so important to force the Government to act on this issue
One year anniversary of the defeat of Tommy robinson in the north west
Supporting refugees and migrants in the coronavirus crisis
Care4CalaisWe are concerned that if refugees catch the virus they will be particularly vulnerable due to existing poor health from living outside and exposure, the prevalence of chest infections, poor living conditions and general lack of care.
- Due to their living conditions they may have limited ability to self-isolate.
- We are distributing information leaflets explaining what precautions to take in Arabic, Farsi, French and English.
- We do not have supplies of hand gel to distribute and are unable at present to buy any. Donations would be most welcome as for people living outdoors it can be difficult to wash your hands. Please contact clare@care4calais.org if you can help.
- We are currently distributing multivitamins and soap at all locations.
- We are also distributing items to keep people as warm and dry as possible, e.g. coats, jumpers, blankets, sleeping bags etc. If you can donate to support this crucial work please go to www.care4calais.org/donate
To maintain the campaign against the rise in racism and fascism we need regular support to cover costs of meeting venues, leaflets, coach hire, speakers expenses and many other campaigning expenses. Please consider making a regular commitment of £1-2 a month to help halt the growth of racism and the far right.