Remembering Stephen Lawrence
22nd April is Stephen Lawrence Day.
Please remember that like most young people, he juggled an active social life, school work, family commitments, and part-time employment. But he also had ambitions to use his talent for Maths, Art, and Design to become an architect and wanted to have a positive impact on his community.
Tragically, his dream of becoming an architect was never realised. 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.
The Stephen Lawrence Foundation uses the hashtag “ALEGACYOFCHANGE to help amplify the cause. If you are on social media you can show your support by using the hashtag on any Stephen Lawrence posts and / or by following the foundation on social media platforms.
RIEP Stephen Lawrence
