In June 2020, Hackney Council launched a review into how to tackle public spaces named after people symbolically known for their involvement in African enslavement and colonialism. Since then, a community steering group of local cultural historians, community leaders, young people and residents have been working on ensuring the borough’s parks and public spaces can best reflect Hackney’s diversity and history of fighting racism.

Following their hard work, the first action of the ongoing review will be the renaming of Cassland Road Gardens, which was named after Sir John Cass, who was a Director of the Royal African Company, making substantial profit from the enslavement of African people.

Join us at this virtual community forum to hear about the work so far as well as future plans, and discover how you can get involved to help name our spaces after those people from the African and African Caribbean communities which mean something positive to our residents. Share with us your local stories and personalities that you feel deserve great recognition within Hackney.

This event will be held online via Zoom. A link to the event will be emailed to attendees sent 1 hour before the event starts. Please note this event involves audience participation and discussion, so have your microphone and/or webcam available if possible.

New to attending virtual events? Check out these resources to help you get started on Zoom and much more - https://hackney.gov.uk/digital-skills/#Zoom