All complaints of racism made by council workers and members of the community will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly;
Management repudiates the policy that using the word racist is grounds for disciplinary action;
No council worker or member of the community who raises concerns or makes complaints about racism will face discrimination, disciplinary action or any other form of victimisation;
Disciplinary action will be taken against anyone in a position of authority who fails to investigate a complaint of racism, and against anyone victimising or discriminating against workers or community members who make such complaints.

Lambeth Councillor Lydia Serwaa ( Brixton Hill Ward) has submitted the motion below to the Council meeting on 19 May. It calls on the Council to adopt the proposals in the Movement for Justice petition and issue a public non-victimisation notice:-
“Last year’s LCAS Inquiry has created an opportunity for Lambeth Council to set a new standard in race relations that will end the damaging contradiction between rhetoric and practice with regard to racism. The Council will realise the promise of the LCAS Inquiry by demonstrating in practice that it respects and supports the right of service users, employees and the wider community to speak the plain truth about racism, and that they can make complaints of racism without fear of reprisals. This must be established as the policy and practice demanded of everyone appointed to a position of authority with the Council.
“This will advance the unity and morale of the community of Lambeth and the Council workforce. It will create the conditions for real and sustained progress in race relations in our borough, and make Lambeth a beacon Council not only in London but Nationally in eliminating institutional racism. It will prevent further violations of the 1976 Race Relations Act and ensure that we meet our statutory duty under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act.
“The Council therefore welcomes the proposals in the petition from the Movement for Justice and a wide range of local organisations, including churches, trade union branches and small businesses.
“The Council agrees to issue a public notice without delay, including the following statements:
(1) All complaints of racism from employees, service users or anyone in the community will be seriously and thoroughly investigated;
(2) Making a complaint of racism will not be treated as offensive or as grounds for disciplinary action against complainants;
(3) No service user, community member or employee who makes a complaint of racism will be discriminated against or victimised;
(4) It will be a disciplinary offence for anyone to use his/her position of authority with the Council to ignore or suppress a complaint of racism or to victimise the complaint.
“The Council agrees that this notice will be published without delay and that it must be displayed in all Council workplaces and public premises, and in all schools, all user groups in the borough and all organisation funded by the Council, to partner organisations, council trade unions and contracting services.
“I call on the Council to implement this policy as a way forward to build genuine unity in our diverse borough for Unity is Strength, Unity is Good and Unity is Blessing.

Councillor Serwaa's motion is an indication of the growing strength of the movement against institutional racism in Lambeth and nationally. Increasing the number of your friends, family colleagues etc. you can get to sign the petition over the next week (copy attached) and come with you to the Council meeting on 19 May will send a powerful message to Lambeth Council. It will make it clear that we have drawn a line and are asserting our right to tell the plain truth about racism, and that the Council must recognise that, in its policy and in management practice.

Return signed petitions to the Movement for Justice by 18 May, by phoning 07930 302 263 or 07976 916 956, or by post to the address on the petition form.

Come to Lambeth Council meeting on Wednesday 19 May

Support the Movement for Justice petition - support Cllr. Serwaa’s motion

Assemble 6.00pm at the front of the Town Hall

The petition is so far supported by:

Pastor Hamilton J Williams (Seventh Day Adventist Church, Brixton), Pastor Les Ball (All Nations Baptist Church, Clapham), Pastor Reid (Gospel Tabernacle Church, Brixton), Dave Prentis (General Secretary, UNISON), Lambeth UNISON, Martyn Walsh (President Lambeth Pensioners Forum & Public Inquiry panel member), Sara Tomlinson & Ray Sirotkin (Joint Secretaries, Lambeth Teachers Association NUT), Lambeth GMB, UNISON London Region Black Members Committee, The family of Ricky Bishop, Make a Difference (over 50’s club).


Academy Photos (Coldharbour Lane), Andre Pierre (Hairdressers, Coldharbour Lane), Chicken Cottage (Coldharbour Lane), BLUE Furniture (Coldharbour Lane), Clear Print Ltd, Frontline Off Licence (Atlantic Road), The Lounge (Atlantic Road), Majestical Lips (Atlantic Road), Blacker Dread Music Store (Coldharbour Lane), Glamour Land (Hair Salon, Coldharbour Lane), 1st Gear convenience Store (Atlantic Road), Madeira Star (Café, Kennington Rd), Michael Oliver Hairdressers (Kennington Lane), Prime Store (Kennington Lane), La Finca Bar (Kennington Lane), Fantasy Cleaners (Kennington Rd.), Karim Said (Tea Room, Atlantic Rd), Today's Living (Health Shop, Clapham High St.), Clapham Bookshop (Clapham High Street), Noor Halal (Butchers, Clapham High St.), Café des Res (Clapham Common), ORBIS Pharmacy (Clapham High St.), Regalia Shoes (Clapham High St.), Kings Pizza & Kebab (Norwood High St.), Classic Touch Dry Cleaners (Norwood High St.), Uncle Café (Norwood High St.), T.S. Mini Market (Norwood High St.), E.B.T.S Café (Norwood High St.), Gypsy Queen (Pub, Norwood High St.), NTW Services (Tyres, Elder Rd.) Speedy Disco’s (Fulham)