We are reaching out in light of the recent violence across Britain.
People of Colour (especially Black and Brown individuals) have been hurt, threatened, and intimidated as they go about their daily lives. Many of our team members are personally impacted by this, and as People of Colour we resonate with the fear that many students are experiencing. Muslims and asylum seekers have been used as a target for people’s fears and anxieties for many years, and we are now witnessing the fallout of this abhorrent rhetoric. Hate crimes and incidents of this nature are intolerable, and it is deeply upsetting to witness such events in the UK.
Following this statement are a range of support services which any students experiencing anxiety and discomfort can access during these times.
As your Sabbatical Officers, we take immense pride in our diverse and international student community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and safe environment for all. We stand ready to support LSE students in every possible way. Islamophobia and racism are not welcome on our campus, and we will be working closely with LSE Security to ensure a secure environment for everyone.
We know that there are planned protests (today) on Wednesday 7th August in Walthamstow, Harrow, Brentford, and other areas of London. We also recognise that many of our students may be already experiencing this violence in their hometowns across the UK. We understand that many of you may feel compelled to attend counter-protests to show support for your communities and we encourage you all to read information from greenandblackcross.org so you are well informed of your rights. We encourage students of colour, visibly Muslim students and those likely to be targeted, to prioritise their safety.
Racism, Islamophobia, discrimination, and abuse in any form have no place at our School. If you have experienced any of these, please report the incident using LSE’s Report it. Stop it. tool. Support will be provided following your report, so you do not have to face this alone. We also encourage those who have attended our Active Bystander training to intervene safely if they witness any abuse on campus.
Keeping each other safe and supported is our top priority.
Your Sabbatical Officer Team 24/25
Lauren, Sana, Tito and Wajiha
Resources of Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing xenophobic, Islamophobic, or anti-immigrant discrimination in London, here are a few support resources available:
These organisations provide legal advice, emotional support, and advocacy to help address incidents of discrimination and ensure victims receive the necessary assistance.