Stephen Lawrence’s brother asks Boris Johnson ‘what are you going to do?’ to make ‘real change’ after George Floyd death
THE brother of murdered Stephen Lawrence today called on Boris Johnson to make “real change” over racism in the UK. Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack in 1993 – with his family’s battle for justice exposing racism in the Met Police. And his brother Stuart today said he wanted to see […]
THE brother of murdered Stephen Lawrence today called on Boris Johnson to make “real change” over racism in the UK.
Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack in 1993 – with his family’s battle for justice exposing racism in the Met Police.
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And his brother Stuart today said he wanted to see leaders step up to confront issues in society as Black Lives Matter protests were sparked over the death of George Floyd in the US.
Speaking to Lorraine on Good Morning Britain, Stuart said the death of 46-year-old Mr Floyd had “brought back that awful night” his family lost Stephen.
He said: “Why are we here again, losing another life in this manner.
“It’s just absolutely devastating, it really is.”
But he said amid the coronavirus pandemic, it was the time to push for real change in the UK.
Mr Lawrence said: “The whole world has paused, the whole world is ready for a new type of normal.
“While we have this moment, I do believe that it’s important that we seize this time to implement real change.”
And he pushed for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to step up.
He said: “I’m asking Boris – ‘what are you going to do. What’s your legacy going to be?’
“This is your time to really stand up and show what a great leader you could be.”
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Stephen was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack in Eltham, South-East London, as he waited at a bus stop in 1993.
In February 1997 an inquest ruled that Stephen was killed in a “completely unprovoked racist attack by five youths”.
In May 2011 Gary Dobson and David Norris finally faced trial for Stephen’s murder following a review of forensic evidence that found the victim’s DNA on the defendants’ clothes.
Both received life sentences with Dobson jailed for a minimum of 15 years and two months and Norris for 14 years and three months.
The case saw a huge cry against the injustice.
It comes as the UK has been the scene of protests against racism in the past few weeks, sparked by the death of Mr Floyd.
The American had been arrested after reports of alleged forgery – pinned to the ground by police in Minneapolis.
Footage of the incident posted to social media shows Floyd groaning in pain and saying repeatedly “I can’t breathe” to Chauvin, while he was kneeling on his neck.
Floyd died at the scene, according to an autopsy commissioned by Floyd’s family, and doctors ruled he passed asphyxiation due to neck and back compression.
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An ex-policeman accused of killing unarmed Mr Floyd has since been charged with second degree murder and manslaughter.
Three other arresting officers are charged with aiding and abetting murder.
Mourners this week held a funeral for the father.
