Press Release

The Multi Agency Group on Racial Harassment (MAGRH)

The Stephen Lawrence Convictions: Implications for Southampton

The conviction and sentencing of Gary Dobson and David Norris for the murder of Stephen Lawrence is a sharp reminder that not only is “racism” alive and well; but there is some hope that it can be addressed and dealt with.

Southampton, like many other cities with a multi-racial community, is not immune from “Racism”, whether it is direct racism, institutional racism or racial discrimination by the Criminal Justice System.

MAGRH has been running a campaign “Don’t Stand By…Do The Right Thing” seeking to encourage those subjected to racist incidents and those who witness racist incidents to come forward. It is hoped that recent events in the Lawrence case will further encourage the Police Services to help to create an environment where potential victims and witnesses are comfortable to come forward.

January 26^th is Holocaust & Genocide Memorial Day and the theme this year is “Speak up…Speak out” and is a universally known example of the dangers of allowing racism to take hold and fester unchallenged; and again urges people to speak out. However, the Criminal Justice System must create an environment where potential victims feel safe; and at present that does not happen.

The alienation of mainly black young people is not helpful and Hampshire Constabulary’s disappointing “Stop & Search” record which shows that Black people are six times more likely to be stopped and searched than White people, the 3^rd highest in the country, requires some scrutiny. Recently Hampshire Constabulary has stopped ethnically recording “Stop & Account”; surely this decision must be re-examined in the light of recent events.

What the Stephen Lawrence conviction has told us is that 20 years later ”Racism” is still a significant feature of British Society and the more we as a society try to ignore it the more it will go underground and return stronger and more virulent.

Jayanti Shah, Chair of The Multi- Agency Group for Racial Harassment said, “We all have to continue be vigilant and learn to recognise a racist incident, report it and tackle it within our organisations; and under no circumstances should we be silent.

MAGRH can help organisations develop strategies to deal with incidents and all of us should be committed to tackle racism.  All agencies and organisations must work together to ensure that the death of Stephen Lawrence helps us all to Do the Right Thing.

For Further information

Contact

Don John don@donjohn.co.uk Tel: 07977211140

Or

Jayanti Shah Jayanti@jtsys.co.uk Tel:07710118112