Local MP Maria Miller has thrown her support behind the community led event in Basingstoke’s Memorial Park organised by local businesswoman Effie Grant, in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign.
The event is set to be attended by Basingstoke residents and community leaders including the Bishop of Basingstoke and Imam Mohamed of the Basingstoke Mosque. Maria is unable to attend the event as the House of Commons is sitting and has sent a message of support which will be read out by Effie Grant.
Maria said, “The appalling death of George Floyd so many thousands of miles away has resonated throughout our country, because whilst there should be no place for racism in any community, it can be a daily occurrence for many, including some people in Basingstoke. Despite having some of the best laws in the country to protect people from discrimination and racism, too often abuse still happens, carefully covered up, hidden from sight, so many could be forgiven for thinking it isn’t happening here, in their community. But it is.
So, like every other community in the country, not only should we say we will not tolerate racism of any kind, we need to put those words into practice. We have to stop operating in a way that perpetuates or covers up racism in society, in the public sector, in private organisations and businesses. We have to speak out, and understand the importance of supporting others to do the same.
The violence and vandalism we saw in London and Bristol last weekend does little to promote the lasting change this important campaign calls for and, given the ongoing health crisis we face, those actions should be roundly condemned. I wholeheartedly commend community leaders in Basingstoke for coming together this week to show peaceful support for the Black Lives Matter campaign.
Warm words need to be turned into actions and that is why next week I am launching a local inquiry into the lives of ethnic minority people in Basingstoke; to give Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) residents the opportunity to give me their own evidence of what it is like to live in Basingstoke as someone from an ethnic minority background, good and bad. I will share that evidence with and ask those responsible for our local public services, those who run local businesses and our community facilities for their response. We will find solutions by working together.“