The Ashby branch of the Labour Party strongly supports the motion on racial discrimination and injustice which is to be debated by Ashby de la Zouch Town Council at its first meeting for four months on July 20.

The motion is that the Council restates its commitment to opposing all forms of racial discrimination and injustice and welcomes the demonstration of anti-racist solidarity shown by the 'Ashby Against Racism' march to the Bath Grounds on June 20.

A group of Ashby Labour Party members was among the 300 people estimated by the police to have attended the march from Hood Park to the Bath Grounds.

Councillor Dave Bigby said: "I will be pleased to support the motion.

"I was very proud to have been able to attend the march with friends and colleagues.

"Organised by a group of enthusiastic, young Ashby people, who felt it important to highlight the injustices faced by the UK BAME community as well as mourning the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the silent march was safe, entirely peaceful and fully complied with social distancing.

"It was extremely moving to be part of the enormous circle we formed on the Bath Grounds when we knelt for eight minutes and 46 seconds to remember George Floyd.

"I was truly heartened to see that such a large number of the Ashby community attended the event."

Sue Richardson, a long-term Ashby resident who also participated said: "It may seem unnecessary to protest like this in our mostly white market town, but it is important for all communities to stand alongside those who experience discrimination and Ashby showed a praiseworthy commitment to justice and inclusion through this action."

The motion to Ashby The la Zouch Town Council will be proposed by Independent Councillor Barbara Kneale.

This will be an online virtual meeting held using Zoom.

Cllr Bigby urges anyone interested to log in and watch the debate.

There will also be an opportunity at the start of the meeting for members of the public to address councillors and ask questions.

Details of how to join the meeting and also how to register to speak will be found on the Town Council website at Ashby de la Zouch Town Council

Resolution to be debated is: "Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has shown its commitment to equality, diversity and fairness, endeavouring to promote racial equality in all our activities through our Equality and Diversity policy. 

"Following world events, members of the Ashby de la Zouch community demonstrated its solidarity with 'Black Lives Matter' and other anti-racist movements both in the UK and around the world with  the  'Ashby Against Racism' march to the Bath Grounds on June 20, 2020 ."