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There are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen. Around the world, the tragic death of George Floyd has reinvigorated the struggle for racial justice. Statues have fallen and governments shamed into promising action to tackle decades of embedded structural racism.

This is a really important moment of national self-reflection and I’ve been overwhelmed by the sheer scale of support for the Black Lives Matter movement that’s flooded into my inbox in recent days. But power concedes nothing without a demand. If we’re going to see real change, we can’t stop here.

That’s why I’m holding this meeting to reflect on the many different strands of work required to dismantle structural racism. On Wednesday 8th July, join some of the incredible people working to build a more equal and just society in Streatham and beyond.

Diane Abbott MP – Former Shadow Home Secretary

Diane is a legend of the Labour movement who needs no introduction at all. Elected among the first cohort of Black MPs in 1987, she has been an MP for over 33 years and most recently served as Shadow Home Secretary under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

Baby Blue – Justice for Black Lives activist

Baby Blue is an anthropology graduate from South London, graduating from the University of Manchester. She is currently part of an organisation called Justice for Black Lives who have developed a list of abolitionist demands to eradicate the racism experienced by Black people and other minority groups.

Councillor Jacqui Dyer – Co-founder of Black Thrive

As well as serving on Lambeth Council and as a government adviser on the Mental Health Act, Jacqui co-founded Lambeth Black Thrive, a local mental health partnership which works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Caribbean and African citizens.

Bess Oates – Black Lives Matter London activist

Bess is a Black Lives Matter activist who manages the BLM LDN Facebook page. She is also the Chair of Harrow Young Labour.

Emerson Webster – Local Labour activist

A founding member of Panther UK, Emerson is a longstanding activist and Streatham Labour member. He was an organiser in justice campaigns for Cherry Groce and Cynthia Garrett and campaigned against the poll tax.

Councillor Sonia Winifred – Lambeth cabinet member for Equalities and Culture

Sonia is a Lambeth councillor and is currently overseeing the council’s audit of landmarks, statues, street names works art as part of efforts to decolonise public spaces.