Stephen Lawrence Day 2023
On 22 April 1993, at the age of just 18, Stephen Lawrence was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack. This incident and the ensuing campaign for justice led by his parents, became a landmark moment in the history of British race relations.
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’ and indicted the Metropolitan police as institutionally racist.
Stephen had dreams of becoming an architect that were unfortunately never realised. This is why the Stephen Lawrence Foundation are committed to helping others from marginalised communities achieving their dreams in memory of Stephen; working in three primary spheres: Classrooms, Communities and Careers.
Classrooms: To inspire children to dream freely without barriers and to realise the importance of learning to attaining those dreams
Communities: To support and create new connections within all types of communities
Careers: To give marginalised young people access to professional opportunities across a wide range of sectors and industries
Stephen Lawrence Day was launched in 2018 and is an opportunity for people, communities, and organisations to come together and honour Stephen’s life and legacy, stand up against discrimination in our daily lives, and work towards a more hopeful tomorrow. Through reflection, learning, and action, to inspire change and create a better future for the next generation.
You can learn more via the Stephen Lawrence Day website here.
2023 marks 30 years since Stephens murder.
In order to commemorate this occasion, SRtRC have produced free online resources for educators to facilitate lessons with their students via our Education Hub and embed anti-racism into your teaching practice for Stephen Lawrence Day and beyond.
We are also pleased to be invited to the Remembering Stephen Lawrence event hosted by the TUC this Friday with the attendance of Neville Lawrence, Stephen’s father. SRtRC has always worked closely with the trade union movement and support the TUC’s pledge of continuing to call out and challenge racism whenever and wherever it exists.
