Saturday 6th June people of the city and beyond are being asked to take part in a virtual vigil, expressing solidarity for protests over the death of George Floyd.
From 4.00pm Saturday, participants will be taking the knee and capturing photographs of themselves to be posted across their social media channels. Pictures posted will be using the hashtag #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd or #itcouldhavebeenoneofmine.
This weekend’s virtual protest follows on from Liverpool landmarks turning purple earlier on in the week, showing the city’s support to the family of George Floyd after his tragic death at the hands of a police officer.
The virtual vigil campaign has been organised by Sonia Bassey MBE, Jacqui Spencer and Ann O’Bryne, to highlight seeking Equality for all.
Showing Liverpool’s support, Mayor Joe Anderson has written to his counterpart US sister city Birmingham in Alabama to express the city’s solidarity.
In his letter to Mayor Randall Woodfin, Joe Anderson writes:
“As a Sister City of Birmingham, I want to express our city’s solidarity with you and your residents at this difficult time of anger, confusion, exasperation and conflict.
“When I last visited your city, I was moved by the city’s affection and hospitality. I was moved by the spirit and positivity of people who live there, and I was also moved by the city’s history and its struggles.
“The search for freedom and civil rights in South Africa was the reason for my political awakening and I remain passionate about these issues and any fight for justice. Visiting the 16th Street Baptist Church and Martin Luther King’s birthplace in Atlanta still remain with me as powerful reminders of the hate that can exist in people’s hearts and the love that can be called upon to fight against it.”
He adds: “Liverpool has had its own challenges in achieving justice over the years, which is why we innately understand the burning desire to take action, protest, and ‘make it right’.
“We also know that it can take far, far, too long to achieve justice, and that it won’t be easy. But also, that it can be done.
“We are not perfect in our own country and this city, and the situation in the US is a reminder to us that we also have much to improve – I will make that pledge to myself to ‘be better’ as a leader in the search for greater equality.”
He concludes: “I wish you all the strength you need to lead, both over the coming days and as you build a relationship between, and with, your communities after.”
To show your support, from 4.00pm Saturday 6th June, capture your take a knee picture and post across your social media channels using the hashtag #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd or #itcouldhavebeenoneofmine
