By James Simons-
Theresa May has established a national day of commemoration for murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence on 22nd of April every year, it has been announced.
The news came as the family of the black teenager attended the 25th anniversary memorial of his death in London. Lawrence was stabbed to death in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south London, in 1993.
Uk Prime Minister Theresa May praised Stephen’s mother Doreen, and his father, Neville, saying they “have fought heroically to ensure that their son’s life and death will never be forgotten”. Stephen Lawrence was stabbed by a gang and ferociously stabbed, and left to die in Eltham on the evening of 22 April 1993.
Two of his six attackers have been convicted of murder, but the rest have evaded justice. David Norris and Gary Dobson are both serving life sentences.
The Macpherson Report into the investigation into Stephen Lawrence’s death concluded there had been “institutional racism” in the police. Mrs May said: “It is right that Stephen’s name and legacy lives on.”
Baroness Lawrence expressed gratitude and said she looked forward to delivering the first Stephen Lawrence Day in 2019 alongside the government, adding: “I feel honoured she has recognized the changes that have been made in Stephen’s name and the changes that are still needed.”
She thanked those who had helped her throughout the years and said that after 25 years “it is time to draw a line”.
The British government is also set to work alongside the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, which is designed to transform the lives of young people and campaign for social change . The idea is brilliant and will help heal the deep wounds suffered by the Lawrence family, even though it can’t bring their son.
