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Following the recent tragic murder of George Floyd, Vincent Hammersley, Chair of the Coventry Society has issued the following public statement on behalf of the Coventry Society:

“One of the stated aims of The Coventry Society is ‘to promote harmonious relations among the community of all races, beliefs and cultures in Coventry.’ Following the recent tragic events regarding George Floyd’s death in the USA we wish to concur with both the Coventry Lord Mayor’s Committee for Peace and Reconciliation and Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations.

“Racism, whether cultural, structural or direct is violence. Racially based discrimination of any nature is unacceptable. The Coventry Society stands together with all those who protest peacefully to reject racism.”

The Lord Mayor’s committee recently issued the following statement:

“Since George Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer in the US city of Minneapolis there have been protests across the world, including in Coventry.  Recent events have shown that there are deep structural fractures in the fabric of our society, no matter where we live or the colour of our skin.

“Racism shows up in all aspects of our lives and society:  in interpersonal communication, through discriminatory policies and practices, in biased language, and in our laws and institutions. We know that left unchecked, hate and bias can escalate and lead to dire outcomes.

“Coventry Lord Mayor’s Committee for Peace and Reconciliation works to promote the city’s agenda as a city of peace and reconciliation both within Coventry and more widely. We as a committee have a commitment to speak out against racism.

“We heartily agree with the following statement made by Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR) that racism – whether cultural, structural or direct – is violence and that race-based discrimination of any nature is unacceptable.  With CTPSR we stand in solidarity with those who protest peacefully, and condemn responses that rely on escalation and violence.”

This is the Statement from Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations:

“Core to the work of the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University is commitment to build trust in order to foster peaceful relations, strengthen human security and challenge inequality. This commitment guides the day-to-day activities of all staff in the Centre, and is the bedrock of our research and output.

“Racism – whether cultural, structural, or direct – is violence. Race- based discrimination of any nature is unacceptable. CTPSR therefore stands in solidarity with those who protest peacefully, commits proudly to reject racism, and unequivocally condemns responses that intentionally rely on escalation and violence.

“Black Lives Matter!”.