We stand in solidarity with Dawn Butler MP and her staff who have made the difficult decision to close one of their constituency Office in Willesden, London under COVID 19.
As a GMB member, staunch trade unionist, anti-racist campaigner and equality activists for all, Dawn consistently raises and speaks on key issues impacting Black Asian Minority Ethnic people of Covid 19 and Black Lives Matter uprisings.
Dawn is the first black woman to speak at the dispatch box in parliament.
We stand in solidarity with Dawn ‘s public statement dated the 8.7.20 setting out the background to the decision to close this constituency office which has been opened since 2015. This has included reasons of security and safety due to the racist attacks which have escalated over the last few months both on her and her staff since she “spoke out in support of the Black Lives Matter” (The Guardian 9.7.20) uprising.
We hear and see you Dawn, and your staff, and acknowledge the everyday racism which we as Black Asian Minority Ethnic workers face each day and escalating over the last few months. We read about your staff being “attacked in the office, verbally assaulted going into and from work, bricks being thrown through the windows and the frontage smashed.”
These are times when “ in a racist society it is not enough to be non -racist, we must be anti-racist ” Angela Y. Davis.
As Black Asian Minority Ethnic people we know how the last few months has played on our well - being and general health with difficult decision to make like do we go into work, are we safe in the workplace, can we ask to work from home, etc amidst the pandemic and the increase in racism being played out through in your face racism, structurally, institutionally and globally.
We stand in solidarity with Dawn Butler MP and her staff who continue to work in these circumstances.
Just like Dawn says, “we will not be silenced”, “Our community is our strength”
Much love, kindness and solidarity always.
Taranjit Chana
NEF Race Lead
