Proposed by Councillor Matt Collins
Seconded by Councillor Ferguson
“This Council loudly condemns the disgraceful racist murder of George Floyd and expresses support and solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement globally in its pursuit of justice and against racism in all of its forms.
The Council is also deeply concerned at the manner in which members of the BAME community were treated by the PSNI for attending socially distant protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Belfast and Derry, on 6 June 2020. This treatment included fines, cautions and threats of prosecutions.
The Council notes that human rights organizations including Amnesty International and the Committee for the Administration of Justice, have expressed serious concern about police actions on the day. Further notes the disproportionate police approach compared with other gatherings, events, and indeed instances at workplaces, where minimal levels of social distancing have occurred.
This Council opposes the fines and does not support any future prosecutions arising from these protests in Belfast and Derry. Finally, the Council calls for the immediate implementation of a racial equality strategy which should be prioritised and invested in by government.”
(To be debated by the Council)
Minutes:
In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor Matt Collins proposed:
“This Council loudly condemns the disgraceful racist murder of George Floyd and expresses support and solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement globally in its pursuit of justice and against racism in all of its forms.
The Council is also deeply concerned at the manner in which members of the BAME community were treated by the PSNI for attending socially distant protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Belfast and Derry, on 6 June 2020. This treatment included fines, cautions and threats of prosecutions.
The Council notes that human rights organizations including Amnesty International and the Committee for the Administration of Justice, have expressed serious concern about police actions on the day. Further notes the disproportionate police approach compared with other gatherings, events, and indeed instances at workplaces, where minimal levels of social distancing have occurred.
This Council opposes the fines and does not support any future prosecutions arising from these protests in Belfast and Derry. Finally, the Council calls for the immediate implementation of a racial equality strategy which should be prioritised and invested in by government.”
The motion was seconded by Councillor Ferguson.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Canavan,
Seconded by Councillor Magee,
That the motion standing in the name of Councillor Matt Collins and seconded by Councillor Ferguson be amended as follows:
“This Council loudly condemns the disgraceful racist murder of George Floyd and expresses support and solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement globally in its pursuit of justice and against racism in all of its forms.
The Council is also deeply concerned at the manner in which members of the BAME community were treated by the PSNI for attending socially distant protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Belfast and Derry, on 6th June, 2020. This treatment included fines, cautions and threats of prosecutions.
The Council notes that human rights organizations including Amnesty International and the Committee for the Administration of Justice, have expressed serious concern about police actions at socially distancing Black Lives Matter protests in Derry and Belfast.
The Council notes that the Policing Board are conducting a thematic review of the policing response to Covid which will consider whether the operational use of the powers is in accordance with the law, is compliant with human rights and is being used proportionately. This Council further notes that the Police Ombudsman is commencing an investigation which will examine the issuing of fixed penalty notices served on members of the public at the Black Lives Matter protests at Customs House Square and the Guildhall Square on 6th June 2020.
This council supports the right of peaceful protest within the law.
Finally, the Council calls for the immediate implementation of a racial equality strategy which should be prioritised and invested in by government.”
The proposer agreed, at the request of Councillor Nicholl, to amend her proposal to provide for the addition of the following wording after the final paragraph:
“Finally, the Council calls for the immediate update on the existing racial equality strategy and the implementation of a refugee integration strategy which should both be prioritised and invested in by government.”
Councillor Brooks requested that the proposer agree to remove the term Black Lives Matter to be replaced by the following wording to the proposed amendment: “Black community and all those campaigning against the pursuit of racism.”
Councillor Canavan declined the request.
After discussion, the proposed amended motion as set out hereunder, was put to the meeting:
That the motion standing in the name of Councillor Matt Collins and seconded by Councillor Ferguson be amended as follows:
“This Council loudly condemns the disgraceful racist murder of George Floyd and expresses support and solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement globally in its pursuit of justice and against racism in all of its forms.
The Council is also deeply concerned at the manner in which members of the BAME community were treated by the PSNI for attending socially distant protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Belfast and Derry, on 6th June, 2020. This treatment included fines, cautions and threats of prosecutions.
The Council notes that human rights organizations including Amnesty International and the Committee for the Administration of Justice, have expressed serious concern about police actions at socially distancing Black Lives Matter protests in Derry and Belfast.
The Council notes that the Policing Board are conducting a thematic review of the policing response to Covid which will consider whether the operational use of the powers is in accordance with the law, is compliant with human rights and is being used proportionately. This Council further notes that the Police Ombudsman is commencing an investigation which will examine the issuing of fixed penalty notices served on members of the public at the Black Lives Matter protests at Customs House Square and the Guildhall Square on 6th June, 2020.
This council supports the right of peaceful protest within the law.
Finally, the Council calls for the immediate update on the existing racial equality strategy and the implementation of a refugee integration strategy which should both be prioritised and invested in by government.”
On a vote by show of hands, the amendment was carried by 32 votes to 25 and duly passed as the substantive motion.