The Vice-Chancellor of Salford University has pledged a review of the naming conventions of all campus buildings and artefacts after global Black Lives Matter protests continue.
This move comes in the wake of the global Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests after the death of George Floyd in the United States.
A statue of the slave trader Edward Colston was torn down by crowds in Bristol last Sunday and thrown in the harbour.
In a statement, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Marshall, said: “I want to ensure that at all times the University reflects the positive values that we, and the communities we serve, hold.
“In September, I will share the findings and make a personal commitment to change any names that are inconsistent with those values.
“The University of Salford is committed to being a truly inclusive organisation that promotes ambition, achievement and social mobility.
“We will undertake this work together, as lasting change can only happen when we all take ownership.”
On the 2 June, the University of Salford’s Student Union released a statement regarding Black Lives Matter.
The SU said: “To our black students: as your Students’ Union, USSU wants you to know that we see you and we hear your cries for justice.
“Nobody should have to die like George Floyd did, and no group of people should have to constantly ask for justice as though it’s a privilege and not a right.
“We stand in solidarity with every black person in the UK, the US and the world to say #blacklivesmatter.”
Councils across the country are examining the history of any and all monuments to see if they may need to follow suit, as clamours for removal grow from BLM supporters.
More protests are planned for this weekend in London and other major cities.
Some Salford Black Lives Matter supporters have travelled to Manchester to take part in the protests there.
Do you think the naming conventions of Salford need to change? Both of the full statements have been linked in this piece.
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