Liverpool Youth Leaders call for immediate action to establish a city-wide Peace Commission

In response to the recent surge of violence and division within the community, local youth leaders and community advocates have penned an urgent open letter to Liverpool City Council, Mayor Steve Rotheram of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, MPs of Liverpool and Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell.

The letter calls for the establishment of a localised Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the deep-rooted issues of racism, Islamophobia, and community division exacerbated by recent events and ignited by the devastating stabbings in Southport. 

The open letter condemns the organised violence witnessed over the past week, which has targeted minority and religious groups, resulting in fear and insecurity among the city’s residents.

The signatories of the letter emphasise the need for restorative justice over punitive measures and stress the importance of unity and social cohesion.

“Lessons must be learnt from what has unfolded on our streets”, the letter states. “Currently, the calls for punitive action ring louder than the calls for restorative justice. Shouts of unity and social cohesion must be the loudest in order to permeate the consciousness of those in power.”

The proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission aims to provide a platform for all community members to voice their concerns and work together towards long-lasting solutions. This commission would include representatives from every age, gender, ethnicity, and faith, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.

The signatories include Emile Coleman of Toxteth EL8TE CIC, Yaw Owusu of Nothin’ But The Music, Jodie Greenwood and Abi Greenwood of WEDGE Collective, Danny Withington of No Limits Amateur Boxing CIC and Anu Omideyi, Music & Festival Director. They are calling for organisations working with young people across Liverpool to get in touch and add their names to the open letter and be part of the call for immediate and decisive action from local authorities.

The signatories of the open letter have been urged by public demand to create an open petition for individuals to sign and show their support for the call to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This petition hosted by 38 Degrees is rapidly gaining momentum as individuals across the region sign their names. 

Emile Coleman, Co-Founder of Toxteth EL8TE CIC said: 

“After the violence that has scarred our communities, the urgent need for a platform where people can engage is undeniable. This initiative holds the promise of giving a powerful voice to the change that all communities deserve, acting as a catalyst for future generations. The profound impact and trauma inflicted by certain groups must be acknowledged and addressed through restorative justice.”

Yaw Owusu, Founder and Creative Director of NOTHIN BUT THE MUSIC said: 

“Unfortunately the responses and actions by appointed leaders over the last week have not been satisfactory in meeting the needs of the marginalised. Many who are living with fear, confusion and frustration. Nowhere is this more acutely felt than amongst the children and young adults our organisations work with and support.  There needs to be a better way forward to support and empower those who want positive change, collaboration and cohesion and know how this can be achieved in an impactful and sustainable way. The youth, who are our future leaders, need to have their voice, their needs and insights at the heart of this process!”

Jodie Greenwood, Creative Director of WEDGE Collective said: 

“I never could have imagined we would witness the devastating and violent scenes we have in this city, throughout the past week. Working with people across Liverpool, we have experienced first-hand the confusion and fear a misinformed minority of the city have caused. It is crucial actions are taken to establish unity and a solution to the hatred we have seen tear through our streets. Liverpool is a brilliant place and we can not allow its empowering and unshakable sense of community to be compromised, by the ignorance and division of far right groups, for the city’s youth today and in future.”

To read the full open letter for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to sign the petition click here.

To support the open letter on social media, please visit: instagram.com/toxtethel8te/

For organisations working with young people who would like to sign the open letter please email: info@wedgecollective.com 

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