WATCH: Claire Wright responds to 'hostile comments' on Black Lives Matter motion

County councillor Claire Wright has today responded to 'hundreds of hostile' comments made on her motion asking Devon County Council to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Nub News wrote about councillor Wright's motion, calling on Devon County Council to support the movement and consider reviewing statues, street names and monuments across the county which 'implicitly celebrate racism', on Saturday.

Our story was shared widely and attracted dozens of negative comments regarding the Black Lives Matter movement, the motion and Claire Wright herself.

After reading through those comments councillor Wright was moved to put her thoughts together on camera, in an effort to encourage a more respectful debate.

In the video councillor Wright said: "I think it's really important to make a few points. I put the motion together with the help and leadership of a group of black and ethnic minority students at the Kings School. They contacted me to say that they didn't have a voice and would I support them. I was only too happy to give my support.

"I drafted the motion and then we pinged it back and forth between us a few times and we came to a decision and I published the motion last week.

"To say that I was dismayed to see hundreds of hostile comments on social media, on the Sidmouth and Exmouth community Facebook pages, against my motion is probably a bit of an understatement.

"I think more than anything I felt bad for the students because having spent an hour on a Zoom call with them they are some of the most thoughtful, considered, intelligent and thoroughly decent young people that I've ever had the pleasure to spend time with.

"I think it's really important that we allow a group of black and ethnic minority students the space to campaign in a way and in a forum that they feel safe in and I don't want them to be attacked or vilified in any way for having these views or helping to put forward the motion with me.

"I really hope that the debates going on into the future, because there will be debates going on in the future about this motion because it will probably be debated at the October full council meeting, are going to be more polite, more respectful and taking seriously the views of students who have never campaigned on this kind of issue in the past and should be respected and supported.

"I hope that none of us, no matter what we think about the Black Lives Matter campaign, could argue with its basic aims which are to combat racism.

"I know there have been so many comments on my Facebook page today from people who don't like Black Lives Matter because they've said this or they've said that or they might have an obscure aim of doing something but let's look at the big picture. The Black Lives Matter campaign is actually about equality and it's actually about stopping racism and I really really hope that once the Kings School students launch their campaign that no matter what our views we will be able to support that aim in our society."

A motion submitted by councillor Claire Wright calls for towns and cities across the county to be asked to review any landmarks, street names or statues that implicitly celebrate slavery, with a view to clarifying their history,

It would also ask the council to urge the Government to review the curriculum to ensure that the historical record of the British Empire is treated in a way which fully takes account of slavery, the actions and views of historical figures and other oppressive experiences of BAME people.

Her motion, which goes before Devon County Council's full council meeting on Thursday, July 23, was created with students at The Kings School, especially young BAME people, and follows on from the peaceful protests organised last month following the murder of George Floyd in America by a police officer.

A second motion by councillor Alan Connett which seeks to acknowledge the current situation facing under-represented groups in Devon and seeks to support the work that is taking place UK wide to tackle racism and discrimination will also go before the council.

Claire Wright's motion reads: "This Council welcomes the peaceful protests against the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer, including those organised in Sidmouth, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Exeter and Plymouth – and the way these have brought to light how this much of this country's wealth was built on slavery and other racial oppression.

"This Council acknowledges the recent further pain caused to the BAME community, by the Windrush Scandal and acknowledges too, that the only way this deep historical wound can be healed is by people in high profile positions (especially politicians) proving that they are listening with compassion to the BAME community – and taking necessary action.

"This Council resolves to pledge its support for the Black Lives Matter campaign by taking a lead among public organisations in Devon to seek out opportunities to promote and celebrate the work in Devon by BAME people, both in the past and currently and inviting every Devon County Councillor to show leadership and support for people of colour in Devon, individually supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, using whichever public platform they feel most comfortable with and to speak with people from the BAME community in their wards to determine what are the issues of concern for them – and take the necessary steps to resolve those issues.

"The council will write to the Secretary of State for Education urging him to review the primary school, GCSE and A Level national curriculum with a view to ensuring that the historical record of the British Empire is treated in a way which fully takes account of slavery, the actions and views of historical figures and other oppressive experiences of BAME people, many of whose descendants are now part of our community.

"The council will show compassion and understanding by starting a national debate led by the BAME community, which seeks to define racism, the impacts of it in today's society – and demonstrate how we can all help people of colour feel fully included and welcomed in the UK (this could be part of the current government review).

"A Cabinet minister champion for the BAME community will be identified and the council will invite every Devon town/parish/city councils to review any landmarks, street names or statues that implicitly celebrate slavery, with a view to clarifying their history, such as the historical plaque in Exmouth for slave trader, John Colleton, who also has three streets."

Under procedural rules of the council, the motions will be referred to the cabinet, who would then make a recommendation back to full council in time for the next meeting in October, unless two thirds of councillors agree to debate it on the day.