We have all been saddened and angered by the tragic death of George Floyd in Minnesota, who was killed while being forcibly restrained by police officers.
It has sparked widespread protest right across America and around the world and at 3pm on Wednesday (3 June) our staff held a minute’s silence in memory of Mr Floyd and in solidarity with people in America standing up against racism and injustice.
We are an anti-racist organisation that supports equality and diversity for our BAME residents and colleagues. As members of the National Housing Federation’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in Housing Group and as a group it is vital that we show that solidarity and collective commitment. The UK still has much to do to eradicate racism across our society and this should be a moment to reflect on what each of us can contribute towards that.
We know that diversity brings strength, success and resilience and want to ensure all our residents and colleagues across the housing sector can benefit from that.
To find out more about the fight against racism in the UK, visit Stand Up to Racism.
Carl Byrne, group director of housing