Stephen Lawrence Day takes place on April 22nd every year, on the anniversary of Stephen’s death. A national moment of reflection and a call to action. Each year, Stephen’s life is honoured by inspiring individuals, schools, and communities to drive change. Stephen Lawrence Day is more than remembrance; it’s a day to celebrate progress, challenge injustice, and empower young people to imagine their futures. The Stephen Lawrence Day website provides schools, workplaces, and individuals with resources and inspiration to participate meaningfully.
In the video, Green Party candidates Dylan Lewis-Creser (Crookes and Crosspool ward), Andy Davies (Walkley Ward), Kim Perry (Chair of Sheffield Green Party), Lynsey Angell (Nether Edge and Sharrow ward) and Ruth Abbey (Manor Castle Ward) talk about their commitment to oppose all forms of racism and discrimination and build community in their wards.
Lynsey says, “My pronouns are she, her. Here today to mark Steven Lawrence Day. He should be my age now. He never even made it to my daughter’s age. I am here to state that I will be an ally against systemic racism that his mother faced in getting justice for his killers, and to also stand up to racism on a personal level. You can count on me as an ally. “
Andy says, ” I absolutely abhor racism in all of its forms. Whether that is anti-semitism, islamophobia, or hatred of others based on skin type or ethnicity. I will call it out.”
Ruth says, “When I’m a Counsellor, I shall be working with all our communities in Manor Castle. I’ll be questioning and challenging those assumptions we all make about other people, people of other faiths, people of other nationalities, and I’ll be building a community together with all the local residents that we can all be proud of and feel comfortable in.”
Dylan says, ” I pledge that if I’m elected as City Councillor in Sheffield, I will stand up against racism, protect Sheffield’s status as a City of Sanctuary, and make sure that all council services are fully reflective of cultural differences and end discrimination in the city as far as I can.
Kim says “It’s an incredibly important day where we must remember and stand up to racism and discrimination in all its forms and continue to fight against racism.”
This lettter was published in the Sheffield Star.