Remembering Stephen Lawrence, 'We all have the power to make a difference'

Today is #StephenLawrenceDay where we remember and celebrate the life of this young man whose life was tragically taken.

On 22 April 1993, at the age of just 18, Stephen was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack. He didn’t know his killers and his killers didn’t know him.

After the initial police investigation, five suspects were arrested but not convicted. A public inquiry into the handling of Stephen’s case was held in 1998, leading to the publication of the Macpherson Report, which has been called ‘one of the most important moments in the modern history of criminal justice in Britain’. It led to profound cultural changes in attitudes to racism, to the law and to police practice. It also paved the way for a greater understanding of discrimination of all forms and new equalities legislation [words taken from https://www.stephenlawrence.org.uk/stephen-lawrence-day/].

The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust today works on amazing projects to engage communities and young people with Stephen’s legacy; to work for social justice and equality.

Their work supports children and young people to have their voices heard, make the changes they’d like to see and create a society that treats everyone with fairness and respect. We are inspired by the work of the Stephen Lawrence Trust and of Stephen’s mother, Lady Doreen Lawrence, in their tireless work to make the world a better place.

Newington Green Meeting House similarly, has always been a place where people have come together to campaign, challenge and discuss social issues of the time. Be it abolition from the likes of Anna Laetitia Barbauld, women’s equality from Mary Wollstonecraft or compassion without geographical borders, like former Minister Richard Price. We promise to uphold this important heritage of social justice.