Church leaders from across Leeds have penned a joint letter condemning all forms of racism in light of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The letter, which has been supported by 80 Christian church leaders, urges people to speak up against racism in response to the tragic death of George Floyd. The 46-year-old died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes while he was being arrested in Minneapolis on May 25.
The church leaders state that racism is embedded in institutions and cultures and that there is a desperate need to learn and listen to "black brothers and sisters".
George Floyd's death has sparked a series of Black Lives Matter protests across the globe, including here in Leeds.
Tony Parry, district bishop at New Testament Church of God in Roundhay, Leeds, said: "Racism in whatever form it takes, is a sin and institutional racism is not an academic premise. Institutional racism is not a social construct but institutional racism is a pervasive evil that enters and invades organisations and twists them like a cancer within the silence, this evil grows. In the darkness, it multiplies.
"I believe silence can no longer be an option.
"We recognise that we have allowed ourselves to become estranged from God’s heart and from the people he loves – including black people in our own churches and communities. We recognise we need to listen to and learn from our black sisters and brothers.
"We need to reflect, repent and act differently across our city to forge together a better future where all have a voice, are able to contribute and live free from fear and oppression."
People across Leeds have been encouraged to take part in the 8for8 initiative tonight (Monday) by Leeds City Council.
For eight minutes, people are asked to either kneel outside their homes, or perform the Namaste greeting, which means healing, peace, prayer and a divine spark within each human being.
