Statement on the killing of George Floyd and deaths of unarmed Black men in America.

The Race Equality Centre condemns the actions of the police in Minneapolis in terms of the death of George Floyd (and others) and the ongoing oppression and brutality directed towards Black people and Black communities in America.

Between 2013 – 2019 7666 people have been killed by police in America.

There are events being organised in Leicester by individuals/groups who, although feel helpless, want to express their anger and frustration in some visible way. 

Whilst some say ‘it’s not as bad here as in the USA’ there have been a number of controversial incidents where Black people have died in custody and/or have been treated completely different to white people. ie. Mark Duggan (2011), Christopher Alder (1998 former British paratrooper), Joy Gardner (1993) to name but a few. 

TREC have been engaging with Leicestershire Police for a number of years in an attempt to address issues of current policies and practices, disproportional ‘Use of Force’, the over policing of Black communities and recruitment of Black officers.