Race equality commission could be set up in Sheffield as Council slammed over white statue

The idea was one of several suggestions put forward during a Zoom meeting on Friday night to discuss next steps for the city’s black community following the Black Lives Matter protest last weekend, which was attended by around 3,500 people.

It comes as Sheffield City Council was heavily criticised for suggesting a statue of the Sheffield Female Anti-Slavery Society group – an all-white organisation – could be erected in the city.

Magid Magid, the former lord mayor of Sheffield, said: “Erecting more statues of white people does nothing to defeat racism.

“The last thing we need is more empty gestures.”

His comments came after a statement from the Sheffield #BlackLivesMatter group said they were “profoundly disappointed and in disbelief” at the suggestion.

They called for, among other things, the creation of a task force “with the specific aim of tackling police brutality and racial profiling of black people in Sheffield”.

Abdullah Okud from the group pleaded for “meaningful change” in the meeting.

He said: “Young people have been massively let down in Sheffield, whether it’s kids getting excluded from school or a lack of support and mentoring.

“For too long youngsters have been let down. Please, please don’t let the next generation down.”

He was among many people who spoke to call for young people from Sheffield’s black community to be placed at the heart of any plans to achieve change.

Khadija Haji, one of last weekend’s protest organisers, said: “There are so many young people who don’t know where they can go.”

Other calls included more support for black businesses and community projects in the city, including Unity Gym, the Library of Life and Positive Solutions.

Suggestions will be put forward to Sheffield City Council leader Julie Dore.

Valari Mitchell challenged the local authority to “put your money where your mouth is”, while others called for greater representation in the Council.

Rob Cotterell said the commission could ‘look across institutions in Sheffield to understand structural discrimination’.

Another attendee, Abdul, said it should stick to a strict timescale to bring about change fast.

Irshad Akbar said: “If we don’t do it for ourselves no one will do it for us.”

Lynn Cheong, who works as an equality specialist, added: “This is the moment for people to take control and lead it themselves.”

Magid Magid said: “I truly believe education can’t be overlooked in this. Even though we can’t change the school curriculum there’s nothing stopping the Council coming together and putting together an education programme.”

Councillor Sophie Wilson, who backed the statue being erected, apologised during the meeting.

She said: “The idea was actually more centred around bringing down colonial statues in the city and thinking what we can replace them with. We actually wanted to start a discussion on what small things we can do alongside the Council’s larger efforts and give a platform to you guys to discuss what we can do.

“Sorry if any offence was caused and a statue was not meant to be the point or purpose of this.”