Black Lives Matter – the voices behind the placards

“The Black community has been beaten down by racism for too long. My placard is a rallying cry to my disenfranchised brothers and sisters. A reminder that our voices and our unity give us power.

I founded Merseyside Black Lives Matter Alliance as a means of taking back my power by fighting for racial equality. It is an online community and educational toolkit for the Black community and our allies to help keep up the momentum around BLM and bring about real change. My ‘Take Back Our Power’ placard has travelled up and down the country with me.

Something which I often speak about is the feeling of powerlessness experienced by Black people due to racism. My experiences as a Police Officer had left me feeling powerless. Yet, talking about racism, campaigning and fighting against systems of oppression have helped me to gain agency.”

“I don't want Black people to seek only tolerance. We need acceptance and celebration too. I cried for weeks after George Floyd was killed. I was traumatised by his death and angry at the systemic and institutional racism that allows a murder like this to happen. I needed to attend the protest to show solidarity and express the rage of living under oppressive environments that kill people that look like me just because of the colour of their skin.

 

My protest sign features George Floyd surrounded by the names of people who have died or been seriously injured due to police brutality in the USA and UK. The dates alongside are the day of their death/assaults. In between these names are examples of institutional racism that impacts on Black people's lives in health care, the justice system, employment sector etc.

George Floyd was a catalyst for an uprising that had been advancing for some time. George was centred in the sign to represent that but I wanted to ensure that systemic and institutional racism in the UK was not ignored. Racist systems have to be dismantled and new social solutions provided. Enough is enough.”

"My second sign, which I made for the march from L8 to St George’s Hall on 13 June is acknowledging the beauty in Black lives. They don't just matter; they inspire, improve and make the world a better place. I don't want Black people to seek only tolerance. We need acceptance and celebration too. This sign makes reference to the wonder of Black lives.

“I attended the BLM march and spoke about the health inequalities BAME mothers experience. Black Lives Matter doesn’t just relate to police brutality; racism and its affects are engrained in every aspect of our lives. It was a moment where I couldn't sit back and do nothing.

The reception I got was overwhelming and fantastic. To get more acknowledgement of the experiences of being Black in the health care system was so important. There are a myriad of issues that affect us. I hope that the Black Mum Magic project gives women a voice and we start to generate change, improving mothers and families’ experiences now and for future generations."

“We honestly couldn't believe the amount of people that came to the protest. I was genuinely expecting no more than 150 people given that there had only been 48 hours' notice prior. But to see over a thousand people united together in Liverpool to stand up for what's right was just so overwhelmingly beautiful. Renae and I feel so honoured to have been a part of such a special day, making history in our city. It’s not enough to be non-racist, we must be actively anti-racist. Continue to stand up, speak up, educate yourselves then others, support, donate, research, sign and fight. The world needs permanent systemic change and unity of the only thing that’s gonna make it work.”

“I’m proud to come from a city that will always stand in solidarity in the face of adversity, that police brutality is NEVER okay and that Black lives have and will always matter. I was brought up within a family that made me aware from an early age that racism is something that should always be challenged no matter what.

I moved to America in 2019 for three months for work. While there I got to meet so many amazing African American people and hearing their personal stories about the daily struggles they encounter from racism/police brutality absolutely broke my heart and made me realise I have to do everything I possibly can to make sure the Black community knows that I stand in solidarity, fighting side by side with them to end racism. 

The demonstration on 2 June outside of St. George’s Hall was nothing but peaceful, powerful and so moving. I have the upmost respect for the amazing people who organised it and everyone who attended.”

“I had to be there because thousands wouldn’t. I had to be there because all lives can’t matter until Black Lives Matter! I just had to be there.

I absolutely think we all must be actively doing something, making a stand against racism. I’m still angry about things I personally witnessed in the ‘70s and ever since. Growing up in the beautiful multicultural area that is Liverpool 8 I had the best years any teenager could have, or so I thought. In reality it was plagued with systemic racism, blatant police brutality and discrimination. Nothing has changed, it’s time to show up and be there for our global family, it’s time to act!

“I grew up in South Liverpool in both Toxteth and Wavertree, so I’ve never been far removed from a multicultural society and I think that contributed to me growing up with a strong sense of social justice. I attended the George Floyd protest with a friend and the Black Lives Matter march with a group of friends and my daughter. I felt it was important for her to understand the struggles her school friends would grow up with, and how showing your support as an ally and using your position in society to enact change is really important. 

Both marches had powerful impacts on those who attended, you could hear the pain and frustration in the speakers voice about the daily battles they face in our city; struggles we don’t notice or experience because we are white. Ending systematic racism and oppression is long overdue, I just hope that the current movement doesn’t fade and the millions of angry voices around the world are able to see and experience the equality they have been fighting so hard for.”

“Yesterday I woke up and cycled round Liverpool putting up signs like these. It took a small amount of my time to realise our role in the slave trade. It’s important we know Liverpool’s history. We are a city built on the slave trade.

I decided to make these signs when I saw the protests after George Floyd's death in the US. I attended the first protest in Liverpool which got me thinking of our city's role in the slave trade. It is important to acknowledge where we had come and not shy away from this just because it may make us uncomfortable.

The signs were removed, some the next day, which was disappointing. I don't know who took them down but I do think it shows ignorance to accept facts which is one of the reasons the BLM movement is so important.”