Our News
A Statement on the Recent Outbreaks of Street Violence
In common with so many people and organisations, we are horrified by, and utterly condemn the recent outbreak of civil violence on the streets of the UK.
Our thoughts go first to the families and loved ones of the little girls murdered in Southport. This was a truly dreadful crime. That being said, it has nothing whatsoever to do with those exploiting the pain and loss of the bereaved families, as any kind of excuse or justification for racism, mob violence and simple thuggery.
Most of the thugs involved in this violence appear to have little understanding of what it is they claim to be protesting against. They are simply exploiting an opportunity for mob violence and vandalism. Worse are those who are seeking to organise and encourage this violence as part of a racist narrative. Worst of all are those politicians and people of influence seeking to exploit the pain and misery of others for personal, financial or political advantage.
None of these people represent Britain as a nation, or us as a people.
Britain has always been at its best when welcoming strangers, accepting incomers and our strength lies in the diversity of our people.
The same is true of our organisation.
We are horrified that some of our team members have felt targeted and been frightened by their proximity to the events we have seen on the news. This is not something that we would expect them, or anyone else to encounter in civil society.
Britain in general, and our home Manchester in particular, thrives on our diversity, and will continue to do so.
We are holding our colleagues close and want to be seen to stand up for them and also to make clear that the current spate of violence represents everything that we, our people, our organisation, and the overwhelming majority of the people of the UK, all stand against.
There are way more of ‘us’ than there are of ‘them’, and we are much stronger.
Our thoughts are with the Southport families, everyone feeling threatened by the recent outbreak of civil violence, and our police and emergency services who are putting their own safety at risk to protect us all. We will continue to support those closest to us who are affected by this in every way we can.
The Carbon Literacy Project.