Tackling Racism in Havering
Donation protected
Councillor Tele Lawal recently shared with Havering residents her powerful story of the racism she has experienced at Havering Council. She laid her heart bear and explained when she was physically assaulted in the Town Hall by a white Councillor in 2019.
It is nearly a year since she made her formal complaint, and Havering Council has done nothing.
Tele Lawal said "this is when I knew my life did not matter. "
Following her story and in light of recent events worldwide, Havering Residents have come together to create 'Havering Racism.' It is a safe online place for residents, visitors, and workers to share their experiences of racism within the community. The are many accounts of racism, microaggressions, and unfavourable treatment aimed at people based on the colour of their skin in Havering, for example, many people experiencing racial slurs being hurled at them by the occupants of cars passing them as they walk down THEIR street.
We want these stories to be told by using the hashtag #haveringracism and by @lbofhavering on social media. These stories will be used as a vehicle for change and to urge Havering Council to adopt our TEN demands.
Havering Council We Demand;
1. Switch the Town Hall lights to purple in memory of #GeorgeFloyd and in support of the fight against #Racialinjustice.
2. Launch an independent inquiry into the racial inequality at Havering Council and publicly publish the findings.
3. Set up a task force to implement the recommendations set out in the inquiry report and this must be adopted within 5-10 years.
4. Create an equality fund by the next Budget Council meeting. Members in the community can apply and use the funds for projects which will bring about better community cohesion and inclusion.
5. Havering Council does not know the ethnicity or race of over 40% of its workforce. Havering Council must close the data gap by April 2021.
6. Diversify your Senior Leadership Team and Senior Managers within 5-10 years.
7. Work with Councillors to encourage #BAME people to stand for public office by the next election in 2022.
8. Create an equality digital newsletter and column in Havering Living Magazine by September 2020.
9. Annually hold an equality event led by the community and funded by Havering Council (put your m£ney where your mouth is).
10. Launch an annual #BAME business award by April 2021.
There is much that needs to be done in Havering to not only educate, but celebrate and involve people from minority backgrounds, it’s simply no longer enough to push issues surrounding race to the side or cover them up, now is the time to recognise the flaws in Havering and to actively make a change.
We are tired and no longer content with just being allowed to reside here. We want to feel accepted and that starts with Havering Council acknowledging the presence of minorities in this community. Havering Racism refuses to let this moment pass and return to a time where our pleas and plight was ignored. That is why we need to reach more and more people in Havering.
There is a total of 259,552 resident population in Havering. With your money, we will be able to move the Havering Racism movement offline. Your generous donation will be used for the following;
1. Pay for leaflets to be distributed in the shopping centres.
2. Pay for banners to go around the community.
3. Pay for campaign material and it to be delivered by Royal Mail to every household in Havering.
5. Pay for large outside boards
6. Pay for stickers
7. Pay for letters to Havering Council, MPs, Councillors, and Organisations in Havering, etc.
8. Pay for the production of a community song about racism which will be created by local artists
9. Pay for community events
10. Pay for posters to be displayed in People's homes
11. Pay for the boosting of our social media content so we can reach people far and wide.
12. Pay for t-shirts which will be used for peaceful marches, protests, and events.
13. Pay for a documentary to be made combining everyone's stories.
And many more! Hopefully - with your donation.
We can't explain how much your donation will mean to us all. We know the fight will not be easy, but we are ready to campaign day in and day out. Your support means so much to our cause.
Please follow us on twitter @haveringracism - https://twitter.com/HaveringRacism
Instagram @haveringracism
https://www.instagram.com/haveringracism/
Facebook search 'Havering Racism' https://www.facebook.com/groups/293035452101675/
It is nearly a year since she made her formal complaint, and Havering Council has done nothing.
Tele Lawal said "this is when I knew my life did not matter. "
Following her story and in light of recent events worldwide, Havering Residents have come together to create 'Havering Racism.' It is a safe online place for residents, visitors, and workers to share their experiences of racism within the community. The are many accounts of racism, microaggressions, and unfavourable treatment aimed at people based on the colour of their skin in Havering, for example, many people experiencing racial slurs being hurled at them by the occupants of cars passing them as they walk down THEIR street.
We want these stories to be told by using the hashtag #haveringracism and by @lbofhavering on social media. These stories will be used as a vehicle for change and to urge Havering Council to adopt our TEN demands.
Havering Council We Demand;
1. Switch the Town Hall lights to purple in memory of #GeorgeFloyd and in support of the fight against #Racialinjustice.
2. Launch an independent inquiry into the racial inequality at Havering Council and publicly publish the findings.
3. Set up a task force to implement the recommendations set out in the inquiry report and this must be adopted within 5-10 years.
4. Create an equality fund by the next Budget Council meeting. Members in the community can apply and use the funds for projects which will bring about better community cohesion and inclusion.
5. Havering Council does not know the ethnicity or race of over 40% of its workforce. Havering Council must close the data gap by April 2021.
6. Diversify your Senior Leadership Team and Senior Managers within 5-10 years.
7. Work with Councillors to encourage #BAME people to stand for public office by the next election in 2022.
8. Create an equality digital newsletter and column in Havering Living Magazine by September 2020.
9. Annually hold an equality event led by the community and funded by Havering Council (put your m£ney where your mouth is).
10. Launch an annual #BAME business award by April 2021.
There is much that needs to be done in Havering to not only educate, but celebrate and involve people from minority backgrounds, it’s simply no longer enough to push issues surrounding race to the side or cover them up, now is the time to recognise the flaws in Havering and to actively make a change.
We are tired and no longer content with just being allowed to reside here. We want to feel accepted and that starts with Havering Council acknowledging the presence of minorities in this community. Havering Racism refuses to let this moment pass and return to a time where our pleas and plight was ignored. That is why we need to reach more and more people in Havering.
There is a total of 259,552 resident population in Havering. With your money, we will be able to move the Havering Racism movement offline. Your generous donation will be used for the following;
1. Pay for leaflets to be distributed in the shopping centres.
2. Pay for banners to go around the community.
3. Pay for campaign material and it to be delivered by Royal Mail to every household in Havering.
5. Pay for large outside boards
6. Pay for stickers
7. Pay for letters to Havering Council, MPs, Councillors, and Organisations in Havering, etc.
8. Pay for the production of a community song about racism which will be created by local artists
9. Pay for community events
10. Pay for posters to be displayed in People's homes
11. Pay for the boosting of our social media content so we can reach people far and wide.
12. Pay for t-shirts which will be used for peaceful marches, protests, and events.
13. Pay for a documentary to be made combining everyone's stories.
And many more! Hopefully - with your donation.
We can't explain how much your donation will mean to us all. We know the fight will not be easy, but we are ready to campaign day in and day out. Your support means so much to our cause.
Please follow us on twitter @haveringracism - https://twitter.com/HaveringRacism
Instagram @haveringracism
https://www.instagram.com/haveringracism/
Facebook search 'Havering Racism' https://www.facebook.com/groups/293035452101675/
Fundraising team (2)
Councillor Tele Lawal
Organizer
England
Esther O
Team member
