Rupa Huq Takes a Knee for George Floyd

Joins hundreds peacefully protesting for Black Lives Matter on Ealing Common

Rupa Huq MP taking a knee on Ealing Common
Rupa Huq MP taking a knee on Ealing Common

June 10, 2020

Hundreds turned out at Ealing Common to protest for Black Lives Matter this at 3pm Saturday (6 June).

Rupa Huq joined the rally as protests took place across the country and beyond in showing solidarity against anti-black racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

The MP for Ealing Central and Acton revealed she had received 500 emails by Friday on the subject.

Unlike larger protests in central London this appeared to be more of a family oriented gathering with many children holding homemade placards. A makeshift performance area was marked out in a 2 metre square and played host to a number of performance poets including Akuba Quansah of the creative youth collective WAPPY who premiered a new poem “knee on my neck” (see below for full text).

Organiser Georgia Wilmot who facilitates performing arts workshops around schools in Ealing Borough expressed delight at the solidarity shown by such a healthy turnout despite battering rain and wind and the fact that the entire event had gone from initial idea to fruition in just 48 hours.

Several impassioned speakers took to the socially distanced stage to talk about how it was time to tackle deep seated injustice. Rupa Huq addressed the crowd and said “In life chances and death too, from criminal justice to health outcomes we know that black lives matter as they are adversely affected at every turn”.


Rupa Huq with protestors on Ealing Common. Picture: Rupa Huq

She used her speech to highlight the plight of keyworkers of all sectors from cleaners to warehouse workers, in the NHS, social care and particularly transport who are losing their lives at an elevated rate on the frontline fighting Covid-19.

The march concluded with a minute’s silence with all those present taking a knee to recall the horrific asphyxiation of George Floyd and to remember all black lives lost to coronavirus.

Ealing Police who were on hand reported no arrests.

She told us after the demo, “I was incredibly proud to see members of my community stand up to racial inequality. This is sadly not just an American problem. Time and time again we are told that after this pandemic we cannot go on as we have been and return to life as normal. Let us use this terrible episode as a wakeup call to root out historic injustice and systematic racism to make tomorrow a better day rather than same-old same-old”.

Black Lives Matter protestors on Ealing Common
Black Lives Matter protestors on Ealing Common

Dr Huq said on Twitter: “It was cold, it was drizzly but hundreds came

“#takingaknee on Ealing Common with a minutes silence for all BAME lives lost to #coronavirus #COVID19.

She added: “Thousands in the streets of central London, hundreds on Ealing Common of all colours and creeds.

“Priti Patel and Matt Hancock’s calls to stay home have fallen on deaf ears.”

 

Dr Huq was also joined by Ealing North MP James Murray and Southall MP Virendra Sharma and other West London MPs in signing a cross-party letter calling for the UK to halt sales of rubber bullets and tear gas to the US.

It’s been written because of fears riot-related equipment is being misused on protesters.

So far 166 MPs have signed the letter coordinated by Brent Central MP Dawn Butler.

Mr Sharma added,“I signed this because we cannot go on. We cannot continue to see people killed on the streets and no consequences. Something has to change.”

And Mr Murray said the UK must have no part in enabling violence against protesters.

In a statement on June 3, Mr Murray said: “The UK government’s silence has been weak and wrong. No-one should look away. We must show our solidarity with the family, friends, and community of George Floyd, and confront systemic racism wherever it exists.”

Meanwhile Ealing council leader Julian Bell said on Monday he joined a meeting with the Metropolitan Police, London Councils and the London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to discuss the “urgent need” for community engagement over the disproportionate use of force against the black community by the capital’s police force.

Last week council buildings in West London were lit up purple to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the protests sparked across the world after the killing of George Floyd in the United States.

Ealing Town Hall and Hounslow House were among other civic buildings in London which were lit up to show solidarity with the black community and stand against racism.

Cllr Bell said: “The death of Mr Floyd is truly shocking and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the wider Black, Asian and minority ethnic community.

“Diversity is Ealing’s greatest asset and we proudly stand with those peacefully protesting against racism and injustice across the world.”

Hounslow’s communities boss, councillor Katherine Dunne, said: “We are deeply saddened and angered by the death of George Floyd and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

For this reason we will be lighting up Hounslow House in purple this evening (Tuesday 2 June) to stand in solidarity with black people in the US, the UK and around the world.

It is incumbent on all of us to stand up to discrimination, violence, racism and injustice and to declare that Black Lives Matter.”

Hounslow Heath councillor, Vickram Grewal, also added on Twitter: “No-one is born racist. Society teaches us this evil, a racism free society begins with you.

“Very proud that our council building, Hounslow House lit up in purple last night to stand in solidarity with George Floyd & all victims of anti-black racism.”

A socially distanced protest outside of Southall Town Hall on Wednesday, June 3, also saw more than 200 people turn up to support Black Lives Matter.

And residents have also been encouraging others to show support and take action in the global movement.

Dinah Newall, who lives in West Ealing, said on Facebook: “I am sure you have heard about the protests going on currently worldwide for #BLACKLIVESMATTER. There are currently protests in London, but I’m also aware people are cautious to break lockdown rules for their own safety.

“So for those, like myself, who want to, but can’t protest, I suggest showing support in other ways, such as beside your #SAVETHENHS rainbows, to help boost support. As well as this here is a useful link full of petitions you can sign to help bring justice to the poc [people of colour] not only in America, but worldwide.”

Knee On My Neck

With your Knee on my Neck as I struggled to breathe

Determined to snuff out my very last pleas

You grip, my head dipped

While the cuffs cut my wrists

I was desperate for air

But you did not desist

With your Knee on my Neck and your men on my back

Licensed to kill me because I am black

You shout, I passed out

While loved ones begged you to stop

Observers filmed on

And the world watched in shock

With your Knee on my Neck I was too weak to resist,

For 9 minutes long my cries were dismissed

You lean, as I screamed

To unleash your hold

Your weight pressed my throat

As my body went cold

With your Knee on my Neck and my face on the ground

Outraged protesters gathered around

You arrested, I protested

To be free from your restraint

My requests you ignored

With your deep racist taint

With your Knee on my Neck as I exhaled my last breath

Campaigns and race riots are fuelled by my death

You denied, while I died,

Stripped of my rights

Even though I lay still

Supporters take up my fight

As we Kneel on one knee and power up our hand

Let’s unite against racism by taking a stand

We resist and persist

For all Black Lives Matter

In memory of George Floyd and others

I’ll forever mark out this chapter.

Akuba 6th June 2020 ✊

 




Written with contributions from Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter