Black Lives Matter

Gloucester City Council’s Response to the Black Lives Matter movement

Black Lives Matter. The deeply disturbing killing of George Floyd this past spring by members of the Minneapolis Police Department is a stark reminder that so much more needs to be done to address anti-black racism not only in our communities, but also within our institutions and organisations. Gloucester City Council condemns all forms of racism, and actively encourages peaceful and lawful gatherings to protest racism experienced here in Gloucester, across the UK and around the world. The gatherings across our communities this summer in response to the killing of George Floyd proved once again that Gloucester is a progressive and inclusive city. However more must be done to take action and drive change in Gloucester.

Gloucester City Council is committed to ensuring that our city and its communities are environments that are built on respect, while providing a safe space where citizens and community members are free from discrimination, unfair treatment and racism.

The tragic events this spring resulted in Gloucester City Council reflecting on how we as a council can continue to advance the voices of those in the BAME community. In doing so, we have subsequently instituted a Race and Equalities Commission which will continue to fight back against racism and racial injustice in our communities and build on our work towards a more inclusive society.

Furthermore, Council Leader Councillor Richard Cook wrote to the American Ambassador to the United Kingdom to share Gloucester’s grave concerns not only regarding the killing of George Floyd, but the repeated occurrences of police brutality against Black Americans.

Gloucester City Council is strongly committed to fighting racism and injustice in all its forms, and we will continue to work to ensure Gloucester is a progressive and inclusive city where everyone is welcome.