“This isn’t protest or freedom of speech, it’s racism and it should have no place in our society” - Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool
Laura Pye speaks out about the distressing scenes witnessed on the streets of Liverpool and across the UK.
I am shocked and appalled by the scenes we have seen on the streets of Liverpool and indeed across the whole of the UK.
It is only a week ago that we saw the horrific attack in Southport, from which many of the victims are still in hospital and others have been left grieving an unspeakable loss. Our thoughts remain with all of those affected by this event.
To reference what we have seen in Liverpool City Region and the wider UK since last Monday feels unfair, because really the events are in no way linked. It was an attack on society, irrespective of faith or race, yet a minority of far-right thugs have hijacked this tragedy to incite hate and division.
Let’s be clear, this isn’t protest or freedom of speech, it’s racism and it should have no place in our society.
The distressing scenes outside mosques and community buildings across the country is causing fear and anxiety among our Global Ethnic Majority communities, particularly our Muslim communities who have wrongly been targeted with violence following a campaign of misinformation.
We stand with these communities and we want to reassure them that the actions of a minority don’t represent the views of the majority. Despite the disgraceful scenes, our city region's true character shone through when local residents united to protect mosques from attack and came together in large numbers to clean up the damage.
Last week, we heard the Secretary of State talk about hope and unity and how the cultural sector has a role to play in telling our nation’s story honestly and positively. She ended her speech saying, “The next chapter in our country’s story is about to be written. What it looks like – is up to us.” We believe the next chapter doesn’t look like the violent scenes we have seen on our streets in recent days and we will continue to work together to write a better chapter.
Across all of our museums and galleries that make up National Museums Liverpool, we work to understand and address the racism born out of the legacy of Transatlantic Slavery. There is no doubt that these are dark times, but as we struggle to come to terms with what has happened, it is vital that we stand together. It is also important in the coming weeks and months that we can come together as a society to discuss our concerns and work together. Our museums are civic spaces where these discussions can take place, and we will play our part.
As a Museum of Sanctuary, National Museums Liverpool works with City of Sanctuary UK to foster supportive and welcoming spaces for people seeking sanctuary in our communities. We will continue to focus our efforts on ensuring our museums and galleries are a safe space and we will not tolerate hate of any kind.
We will continue to support Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council and other partners in appealing for people to unite at this difficult time, and not to spread misinformation on social media.
For support services, see below:
Islamic counselling, Muslim counselling - Incorporate Islam in Counselling (sakoon.co.uk)
Muslim counselling and Psychotherapist Directory (islamiccounselling.co.uk)
Home - The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (baatn.org.uk)