LEEDS AWARE
Our first aim is to promote an awareness of the values of equality and peace. This page follows from that aim. It is for words and images which give an idea of where we stand on some of the great issues of our time.
Black Lives Matter! The Civic Hall in Leeds is seen coloured purple, foregrounded by Kenneth Armitage's sixteen metre high bronze cast 'Both Arms' in Nelson Mandela Gardens. A number of buildings in the city have been illuminated like this to show solidarity with campaigners in Leeds and all over the world who took to the streets following the horrific death of George Floyd during his arrest by the Minneapolis police.
Statement by Rehana Minhas, Chair of Leeds Peace Poetry:
We are disgusted by the brutal acts of racism which have led to countless innocent Black Lives being lost. Our condolences go out to George Floyd's family and friends and to all those who have lost a loved one due to institutionalised racism.
In Britain we too have lost Black Lives in police custody. This needs to end. NOW!
Political leaders need to be held accountable for their actions, and this injustice has to stop. We demand an end to the brutal policing of the black communities here in the UK, in the US and across the globe.
5 June 2020 - from Leeds City Council:
People across Leeds are being encouraged to stand in solidarity with those peacefully protesting against racism and all other forms of prejudice by taking part in 8for8 on Monday evening. The 8for8 initiative asks residents to perform one of the following gestures for eight minutes at 8pm on Monday evening (8 June):
1 January 2022 - statement by Leeds Councillor Jane Dawson:
Leeds Peace Poetry is a highly respected biannual competition which is local, national and international. The ethos of peace serves as a guiding principle which supports values of equality and social justice through the encouragement of poetry as a medium for creative engagement with major world issues by children and adults.
As we see the climate emergency impacting the well-being of more and more communities across the world, and the Covid-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting developing countries, it is an apt time to explore Global Health Justice - the theme for the 2022 competition. The pandemic has focused our minds on the inequalities that exist now and have existed for many years, and more people than ever are asking themselves how they can contribute to the achievement of a fair society.
Statement by Rehana Minhas, Chair of Leeds Peace Poetry:
We are disgusted by the brutal acts of racism which have led to countless innocent Black Lives being lost. Our condolences go out to George Floyd's family and friends and to all those who have lost a loved one due to institutionalised racism.
In Britain we too have lost Black Lives in police custody. This needs to end. NOW!
Political leaders need to be held accountable for their actions, and this injustice has to stop. We demand an end to the brutal policing of the black communities here in the UK, in the US and across the globe.
5 June 2020 - from Leeds City Council:
People across Leeds are being encouraged to stand in solidarity with those peacefully protesting against racism and all other forms of prejudice by taking part in 8for8 on Monday evening. The 8for8 initiative asks residents to perform one of the following gestures for eight minutes at 8pm on Monday evening (8 June):
- The Namaste greeting outside of the home, which is a gesture denoting healing, peace, prayer and a divine spark within each human being.
- Kneeling outside of the home.
- Any other form of activity within the home which is considered peaceful.
1 January 2022 - statement by Leeds Councillor Jane Dawson:
Leeds Peace Poetry is a highly respected biannual competition which is local, national and international. The ethos of peace serves as a guiding principle which supports values of equality and social justice through the encouragement of poetry as a medium for creative engagement with major world issues by children and adults.
As we see the climate emergency impacting the well-being of more and more communities across the world, and the Covid-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting developing countries, it is an apt time to explore Global Health Justice - the theme for the 2022 competition. The pandemic has focused our minds on the inequalities that exist now and have existed for many years, and more people than ever are asking themselves how they can contribute to the achievement of a fair society.
