SFX Marks Stephen Lawrence Day with Guest Speaker Hassan Mahamdallie

Published • News
Thank you to Hassan Mahamdallie, who joined us for an extended tutorial lesson throughout the college on Thursday 22nd April to mark Stephen Lawrence Day.

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Hassan spoke about the night in 1993 when Stephen was murdered in a racist attack while waiting for a bus and the failings in the police investigation that followed. He also discussed the findings of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry – which Hassan sat in on and reported on at the time -, ordered by the government to examine the matters arising from Stephen’s death, which concluded with a report that the killing had been “marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership”. Hassan spoke about the impact the report had and how it has affected society today, referencing the recent global Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd.

First year A Level students Chiamaka and Windolf lead a Q&A, asking pertinent questions including whether Hassan predicts a change to policing in America now that Joe Biden has become president. On what St. Francis Xavier students can do as young Londoners to bring about change, he advised “Change is possible, but it is a rocky road. Reach out to other people to build alliances, you are stronger together.”

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