The first national Stephen Lawrence Day

The first national Stephen Lawrence Day on 22 April celebrates the life and legacy of a young man murdered in a racist attack when he was just 18 years old.

Stephen’s mother – DMU Chancellor Baroness Doreen Lawrence - wants it to be a time when we consider what part we can play in creating a society in which everyone flourishes.

It is an opportunity for children and young people to have their voices heard, make the changes they’d like to see and create a culture that treats everyone with fairness and respect.

Events are happening up and down the country to mark the occasion, and, last week, more than 100 schoolchildren from Leicestershire came to DMU to meet Baroness Lawrence, hear about Stephen’s life and legacy and learn about Stephen Lawrence Day.

You can listen to Baroness Lawrence talking to BBC Radio Leicester about the event here.

Baroness Lawrence said last week: “My aim is to make sure everyone understands about Stephen and his story. Stephen was so much about life, he was very positive and he wanted to make a difference.”

Stephen was just 18 when he was murdered in the racist attack in South East London on 22 April 1993.

Stephen didn’t know his killers and his killers didn’t know him.

Baroness Lawrence fought tirelessly for the murderers to be brought to justice.

In 1998, after five years of police failures to convict anyone, a public inquiry into the handling of Stephen’s case was held, leading to the publication of the Macpherson Report.

The report has been called ‘one of the most important moments in the modern history of criminal justice in Britain’.

It led to profound cultural changes in attitudes to racism, to the law and to police practice. It also paved the way for a greater understanding of discrimination of all forms.

Last year, on the 25^th anniversary of Stephen’s death, Prime Minister Theresa May announced that a national day of commemoration in his name would take place on 22 April every year.

“It is really exciting that something we have been campaigning for, for such a long time, is now happening,” said Baroness Lawrence. “We want to take the opportunity to encourage young people to think about how they can live their best lives and get what they want out of life.”

Baroness Lawrence was featured on the front page of The Voice, you can read the full article here.

To read more about Stephen Lawrence Day and how you can get involved click here.

Join us for the launch of the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre and Exhibition on Thursday 9 May. Keep an eye on the student pages for more information nearer the time.