Green Party stands with Black communities

A study found Covid-19 related deaths of British black African background to be 3.5 times those of the white British population, even after accounting for differences in age, sex and geography. Examining the possible reasons, it says that a third of all working-age Black Africans are employed in key worker roles, 50% more than the share of the White British population. 63% of the first 106 health and social care staff known to have died from the virus were black or Asian, according to the Health Service Journal. The Green Party has backed calls for an independent inquiry into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic people.

Greens of Colour chairperson, Azzees Minott, said: “The government’s inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on BAME people has let communities of colour down. It has been clear from the start that this review simply was not going to go far enough because it was never going to address the institutional racism that affects people of colour, particularly in the context of Covid-19."

Tragically, transport worker, Belly Mujinga, was assaulted whilst on duty ultimately leading to her contracting Covid-19 and to her death. Employers must implement changes to protect workers in order to prevent deaths like Belly’s happening again. We demand justice for Belly Mujinga.

After the unjust and brutal death of George Floyd, that has caught the attention of the world, and the following attacks on protestors and demonstrators, almost 1 million people have signed the petition for a halt to sales of tear gas, rubber bullets and riot shields to the US.

As a party whose membership is predominantly white, we recognise that we still have work to do to make our spaces more accessible and inclusive to all. We pledge to listen to minority and marginalised groups and we welcome you to join us. Where possible, we will amplify black voices, educate ourselves and join the fight for a better world for people of colour everywhere.