Today, Tuesday 22nd June, a number of LGBT+ activists are organising a peaceful gathering and march to raise awareness and protest against the recent reports of homophobic attacks in Liverpool City Centre.
The gathering is planned to take place at 1:00pm on Tuesday 22nd June. The meeting point for this is the junction of Church Street and Lord Street (by McDonalds and HSBC).
The group is then expected to march via the outside of St John’s Shopping Centre, Williamson Square, Whitechapel and finishing at Victoria Street in the Pride Quarter.
The organisers are encouraging attendees to bring signs and flags, adhere to social distancing and guidance and wear masks unless exempt and able to provide this if questioned. They are also encouraging people to travel in groups to ensure everyone stays safe.
As this is a protest arranged by individuals, we don’t have further details of accessibility, safety arrangements or timings – so we encourage anyone attending to remain vigilant and to only take part if they are comfortable.
There are lots of reasons why someone may choose not to protest, particularly with COVID-19 remaining a risk. These reasons can range from experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or living with someone at high risk from the virus to personal commitments or just not wanting to go to a protest alone. These decisions and personal circumstances are absolutely fine and should be respected.
Protesting is NOT the only way you can show support for the recent attacks and and raise awareness of hate crime on Tuesday. You can do plenty from your own home.
USE YOUR PLATFORM
If you are on social media, share information about the protest so others see it – share and retweet away. You can even let friends and family know via email or by sending a message.
GET CREATIVE
Have a message you’d like to share? Create your own placards and banners at home and share photos on social media while the protest is going on. Look out for hashtags and accounts following the march. You can also use art to raise awareness and provoke conversations – from paintings, drawings and poetry to journalism, film and photography.
WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR, MP OR THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER
If you feel passionate about things changing in the Liverpool City Region you can use your voice to contact those that represent you and the city.
Local Councillors in Liverpool: liverpool.gov.uk/council/councillors-and-committees/
Your local MP: www.writetothem.com
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner: www.merseysidepcc.info
SIGN PETITIONS
Regularly look for relevant petitions on sites like Change.org, petition.parliament.uk and Avaaz – sign, share and support where you can.
EDUCATE, RESPECT AND CHALLENGE
Support LGBT+ people and victims of Hate Crime by respecting the stories of others and calling out hate or any other form of abuse. Educate people about the importance of reporting hate crime, access to support for victims of Hate Crime and challenge hate speech or negative behaviour where you find it. This might mean standing up against, or reporting, comments on social media, or educating those around you that don’t understand why it is an issue.
Protests are just one way to help. If we all do what we are able to, we can make a difference.
For further information visit www.lcrpride.co.uk
