A community event to celebrate harmony and unity will be held in Brixton’s Windrush Square on Sunday April 24 to mark “One Year On …” from the unveiling of the Cherry Groce Memorial.
The memorial pays tribute to the life of Cherry Groce, an innocent mother who was shot in her home in 1985 by the Metropolitan Police.
The shooting sparked a Brixton uprising in which the community rose up to protest over the institutional racism and systemic injustice faced by Britain’s Black community.
A young photographer, David Hodge, died as a result of being struck on the head during the disturbances.
The Metropolitan police did not apologise for the shooting until 2014.
The memorial was erected by the Cherry Groce Foundation and Lambeth council.
It was designed by the architectural practice of Sir David Adjaye, which also created the controversial plans for a 20-storey tower on Pope’s Road in central Brixton.
Lee Lawrence, chair of the Cherry Groce Foundation and her son, said: “One Year On … creates a moment to come together in common unity.
“Whilst reflecting and paying homage to our past, it also gives us an opportunity to renew our commitment to building a peaceful and more harmonious community in Lambeth.
“Celebrating this milestone will uplift our community’s spirit and promote unity, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic during which many of us have suffered.”
The foundation says it will use the event to share its new aims and objectives with the community, and will invite people to give testimonials and talk about what the memorial has meant to them over the past year.
The event will include music, edutainment, performers, fundraising and awareness raising stalls and will run from noon until 4pm.
