Notice of Motion – Statement of Unity

Notice of Motion - Statement of Unity

At the Council meeting tonight and in response to the devastating attack in Southport and violent scenes which followed across the region, Cllr Graham Morgan proposed a Notice of Motion detailing the Council's support for all residents - irrespective of their background or circumstances.

The motion was supported by all elected members of the Council from across The Labour Party, The Green Party and the Liberal Democrats, demonstrating the strong feeling and support from all parties.

As part of the motion, the Council resolved to:

• Continue to fight against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.
• Provide support and resources to schools and youth services to address all forms of extremism and prejudice, including racism, islamophobia, antisemitism, and misogyny.
• Provide access to security advice and support for those who feel targeted by hatred.
• Continue to urge everyone to think before sharing information online, to ensure that it comes from a trusted source and that they are not spreading misinformation.

You can read the full statement below:

Statement of Unity

"Council is proud that the Knowsley communities we serve consist of people from all backgrounds, races and beliefs. We are clear that Knowsley is a place where everybody is welcome. This Council will continue to celebrate the diversity in our Borough whilst standing in solidarity with all residents - irrespective of their background or circumstances.

Along with our fellow residents across the Liverpool City Region, the country and beyond, this Council was appalled and devastated by the attack in Southport on 29 July 2024. We have, and continue, to express our deepest sympathy for the families and friends of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar who were senselessly murdered during the attack - and to all those who were injured. This Council expresses our full gratitude to emergency service workers who responded to the attack and everyone who supported the local communities.

This Council remains united in condemning any racist, Islamophobic or antisemitic sentiment and will continue to denounce all forms of racial and other prejudice. We fully condemn the violent attacks, criminal damage and looting witnessed regionally and nationally following this event. We express our utter disgust at those who sought to use the tragic events in Southport to spread racial hatred and encourage blatant thuggery across the country - exploiting the death of three young girls and the grief of their families and friends to spread fear and far-right propaganda.

This Council expresses our gratitude to emergency service workers, Council staff, Elected Members, community and voluntary groups and individuals who worked hard locally and nationally during the disorder and the recovery period. We are honoured to call them our friends and neighbours, and proud to share the same inclusive values which they demonstrated in the face of hatred.

This Council is clear that these same values will continue to underpin our work to proudly represent Knowsley's communities. We commit to continue to support and defend those who are targeted on the basis of bias or discrimination.

This Council will remain standing in solidarity with all of the communities we serve. We commit to working alongside local communities to further foster unity within Knowsley and to continue to challenge those who seek to divide us."