Statement from Bristol City Leaders group in response to disorder in the city
Members of Bristol City Leaders group, including UWE Bristol's Vice-Chancellor Steve West, today (25 March 2021) issued a statement in response to disturbances in the city.
“As individuals who live and work in Bristol and represent organisations that support many thousands of people across the city, we stand together in condemning Sunday’s violent disorder.
“Those who vandalised parts of our city and injured and threatened police officers and public servants do not speak for Bristol. They do not speak for the vast majority of those who are concerned about proposed legislation changes. Their actions demean us all.
“We share Bristolians’ horror and disappointment at what they saw. We have complete confidence in the approach taken by Avon and Somerset Police, who have worked so closely with Bristol’s communities across our city during the last year.
Reasons for pride
“Whilst we are not blind to the challenges Bristol faces, we also see every day how people, public bodies, businesses, community groups and faith communities have come together to support each other through this incredibly testing time.
“We saw it last week during the Bristol Remembers gathering, where people from across the city came together to reflect on the impact of the last year on their lives and communities.
“We see it in how public, private and civic organisations have shared experiences of life during lockdown and worked together to overcome enormous challenges and adapt to the impact of COVID-19.
“We see it in how people of all ages and backgrounds have volunteered to support the city’s response to COVID-19, and its recovery from it.
“Those positive actions, which happen every day, truly represent the best of our city. They inspire us and help us to focus on working together to help Bristol be the very best it can be.
“At a time when we need to support each other to rebuild our lives and economy, we won’t be defined by the acts of a minority. Our focus remains, as it has been through this year, on positive action and hope.
“In that spirit, we hope people can join us in sharing their pride in the city and demonstrate all that is great about Bristol. Collaborative, creative, courageous, open, inclusive and caring - Bristol is all these things and more. These qualities will not be dimmed by violence and criminality: they will be our shining light.
“As a city of hope, we continue to move forward as a city together, because #WeAreBristol.”
Related news
25 July 2024
Extraordinary community work recognised with honorary doctorate
Rosa Hui MBE DL, founder of the Chinese Community Wellbeing Society (CCWS), has been awarded an honorary doctorate by UWE Bristol.
23 July 2024
Honorary doctorate for Bristol changemaker and civil rights hero
Guy Bailey OBE, a civil rights activist instrumental in the Bristol Bus Boycott, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by UWE Bristol.
23 July 2024
Honorary degree for TV channel founder offering prisoners in-cell access to training and education
Jezz Wright, founder of a range of in-cell channels that aim to help prisoners with their rehabilitation, has been awarded an Honorary Degree by UWE Bristol.
11 July 2024
UWE Bristol completes largest low carbon student accommodation development in UK
New student accommodation at UWE Bristol which is the largest low carbon development of its kind in the UK has been completed.
07 June 2024
Academic selected as Design Council Expert
Dr Matthew Jones has been selected to join the new cohort of Design Council Experts.
05 February 2024
Universities unite for joint pledge to tackle sexual violence and harassment
Universities in the west of England have pledged together for the first time to take a collective approach in tackling sexual violence and harassment.
06 December 2023
Internationally renowned architect joins UWE Bristol
UWE Bristol has appointed Piers Taylor as Professor of Knowledge Exchange in Architecture.
16 October 2023
UWE statement on Israel and Gaza – supporting students and staff
UWE Bristol statement on Israel and Gaza.
28 September 2023
Building a School of Health and Social Wellbeing for the future
UWE Bristol is developing proposals to relocate its School of Health and Social Wellbeing from Glenside campus to Frenchay campus.
28 September 2023
Teaching Excellence Framework: UWE Bristol provides an outstanding student experience
The student experience UWE Bristol provides has been judged to be outstanding in a new sector-wide assessment of teaching quality.
08 September 2023
Statement – Maddy Lawrence
UWE Bristol statement following the inquest into the death of Maddy Lawrence.
31 July 2023
UWE Bristol awards seven recipients with honorary degrees
Seven people have been presented with honorary degrees during UWE Bristol’s summer graduation ceremonies at Bristol Cathedral.