Black Lives Matter: Religious leaders unite to call for change in Basingstoke

Dozens of people from all faiths and walks of life gathered at War Memorial Park on Tuesday night to attend Basingstoke Unites Against Racism’s first protest.

The peaceful demonstration was one of six events to take place in the past week, as residents of the town took a stand against the everyday racism suffered by black people in the UK.

The event was a response to the Black Lives Matter movement sweeping the country, in response to the death of black American George Floyd who was suffocated by a police officer while he was being arrested. 

Protesters kneel at War Memorial Park in the last minutes of the protest

Organiser Effie Grant addressed the crowd on Tuesday, and said: “To my caramel, brown and black people, we can change the headlines, know yourself and your worth. Can I remind you that you come from rich, enviable lands of gold, cocoa, diamonds in oil.

"We have allowed ourselves to be ripped of them. We have fought wars and died for colonial matters and still we allow ourselves to be ripped of dignity. We are taught to love our neighbours and show kindness.”

Left, Effie Grant, and right, demonstrators showing their respect and kneeling

Out of a crowd of at least a hundred, peaceful demonstrators attended Basingstoke Unites Against Racism protest, with their placards and signs as they listened to David Williams, the Bishop of Basingstoke, Imam Mohammed, worship leader at Basingstoke Mosque and Martin Flood, head pastor at Gateway Life Church. 

Martin Flood, head pastor at Gateway Life Church, said: “It’s so good to unite against racism in Basingstoke. I am the leader of Gateway Life Church that is gathered to work for the good of this town.

“When we see injustice, we want to stand up. We are part of one human race and seek lasting change.

“We are all made equal in the image of God regardless of race, education or socio-economic status as followers of Jesus.”

Mr Flood said that many in Gateway still experience racism on a daily basis.

He told of an incident when his friend’s daughter told her parents “she wished she was white”.

“What world do we live that creates such a pressure upon them that their culture they are born into tells them they are the wrong colour?

“We hate this, this is not what we are for. Its heartbreaking,” he continued.

David Williams, the Bishop of Basingstoke, said: “Today is George Floyd’s funeral in Houston, Texas. Why has his death struck such a profound chord in us?

David Williams, the Bishop of Basingstoke on the left, and protesters peacefully protesting, on the right

“Maybe it is the phrase I can’t breathe. We don’t empathise when we think we understand. Many of us think we understand racism but we don’t behave as if we understand it.

“I can’t breathe suddenly equates racism with a deprivation of air, which is what it always was.

“I can’t breathe. I think we need a new language to express the fundamental clarity of what happens when people are demonised, excluded, deprived, oppressed and killed because of the colour of their skin.”