PRESS RELEASE
Parents of murdered black teenager Trayvon Martin to address public meeting and vigil in London tomorrow
The parents of the
murdered US African American boy Trayvon Martin, Tracy Martin & Sybrina Fulton will speak tomorrow, Friday 11th of May at a public meeting and vigil (details of both events below).
The Trayvon Martin family issued the following statement:
"We
are humbled by the support we have received from the people in London
and around the world. The struggle of people like Doreen Lawrence in
Britain, who invited us here and whom we met yesterday, shows us that as
in the USA, there is a problem of racial profiling in society and
amongst institutions. We would like to work with people here in London
and around the world
to help end the scourge of racial injustice across the globe."
Zita Holbourne, National Co-Chair Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK said:
"We are delighted to be able to host this meeting and like
many people throughout the world we are both angered and saddened at the news of Trayvon Martin's murder. This meeting will offer the opportunity for people to hear first hand what happened to the Trayvon
Martin family and offer support and solidarity to them and for us to
discuss how we can work together in order to tackle racial injustice
globally."
Lee Jasper, National Co-Chair Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK said,
"In the run up to the
Olympics we intend to work with others to highlight racism here in
Britain and throughout the world. The case of Trayvon
Martin echoes cases that span decades and continents. Global racism is
on the rise and as the economic crisis worsens we must be organise
against those who seek to whip up racism and scapegoat black
communities. This meeting will be the start of that international
campaign to expose racism in Britain and the rest of the world. All over
the world the 99% are saying without justice there can be no peace"
Event details
Friday 11 May
1. 3-5pm: Public meeting at the University of London Union, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London
Chair: Zita Holbourne PCS executive member and Co Chair of Black Activists
Rising Against the Cuts (BARAC)
Speakers: Trayvon Martin family representatives and
activists Lee Jasper, Stafford Scott, Carole Duggan (Duggan Family
Campaign) Simon Woolley (Operation Black Vote) Michael Abatan (Justice
for Jay Campaign), Michael Kennedy (Campaign for Justice) Ava Vidal, Kanja Sesay National Union of Students (NUS) Black
Students Officer, Aaron Kiely (NUS Black Students Campaign) and more British based activists tbc
Organised by BARAC in conjunction with Million Hoodies
Movement in the USA.
For more information for this event contact
Zita Holbourne 07711 861660
Lee Jasper 07984 181797
