April 22: Forever Stephen’s Day
25 years after brutal Lawrence murder, PM announces an annual day to mark his legacy
AN annual Stephen Lawrence Day will be held to mark the murdered teenager’s life and legacy, Theresa May revealed yesterday.
The Prime Minister said it would be used to reflect on the ‘positive change’ his death brought about.
She hoped the date – April 22 – would also provide an opportunity to ‘encourage and support young people in achieving their dreams’.
The creation of a day of national commemoration was announced to warm applause at a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the A-level student’s racist murder.
Stephen’s parents Neville and Doreen – now a peer – were among the 800 who gathered at a service at St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London, along with figures including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Sir Lenny Henry, former Home Secretary David Blunkett and Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick.
Stephen was fatally stabbed by a gang of five white youths in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22 1993. After a shambolic initial police investigation, two prosecutions and an inquest all failed to secure justice for the teenager and his family, the Metropolitan Police was condemned by a public inquiry in 1999 as being ‘institutionally racist’.
The probe prompted massive internal reform in the police and a shake-up of the centuriesold double jeopardy rule that had prevented cleared suspects being tried for the same murder twice. Now there will be further recognition of the importance of the case.
After giving a scripture reading, the prime minister looked towards Stephen’s parents as she announced details of the honour to their son – who had dreams of becoming an architect but was killed simply because of his colour.
Mrs May said: ‘For the past 25 years, Doreen and Neville have fought heroically to ensure that their son’s life and death will never be forgotten.
‘Their dignity, their courage and their sheer determination are an inspiration to us all. We are privileged to be here at this special final anniversary service to commemorate Stephen.
‘But it is right that Stephen’s name and legacy lives on. And so, today, with Baroness Lawrence’s blessing, I can announce that the Government will work with the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust to establish a national, annual commemoration of Stephen’s life and legacy, to take place on 22 April each year: Stephen Lawrence Day.
‘We will use this day to encourage and support young people in achieving their dreams, and to reflect on Stephen’s life, death and the positive change he has inspired.’
The announcement was welcomed by Baroness Lawrence, who said: ‘I feel honoured she has recognised the changes that have been made in Stephen’s name and the changes that are still needed.
‘Courage and determination’
This 25th anniversary is a moment for the country to come together to remember Stephen and... 22 April will provide that focal point every year.
‘Stephen was denied his voice but the Stephen Lawrence Day will be an opportunity for young people to use their voices and should be embedded in our education and wider system regardless of the government of the day.’ She added that after 25 years ‘it is time to draw a line’. Her former husband announced last week he had made the humbling decision to forgive his son’s killers, declaring: ‘The fact that I had to lose my first child has been devastating. ‘I can’t begin to explain the pain and the anguish me and my family have suffered over the past 25 years.’
He said yesterday: ‘That is one of the best things I have heard for years. I think I will sleep peacefully in my bed tonight. We have got some justice and now this is like a mark of what we have been trying to do for years – our son’s memory is going to be enshrined in history.’ He added that it was also a reminder to other parents not to ‘sit back and take no for an answer’.
The Mail accused five men of being Stephen’s murderers in its famous 1997 front page. Two are serving life for Stephen’s killing after a forensic breakthrough.