Event to help Hackney rename public spaces named after slave owners
Hackney Council is inviting residents to share ideas for names for spaces at an online event led by Hackney Museum on 9 December 6pm -7.30pm.
The Council has formed a community steering group of local historians, community leaders, councillors and young people who are now researching the names of public spaces in Hackney named after slave owners.
The event, Representing African & Caribbean Communities in our Public Place Names, will be an opportunity to meet the community steering group, ask questions and join breakout rooms to crowdsource ideas. It will also be a chance to share stories on Hackney’s Black history which may inspire names to better reflect Hackney’s diversity.
The event feeds into the launch of the Hackney Naming Hub - an online platform to crowdsource names to help make the borough’s spaces more inclusive to the people of Hackney. It seeks to address underrepresentation in the public realm and welcomes ideas that acknowledge the achievements of diverse and migrant communities, as well as women, LGBTQI+ communities and people with disabilities.
Following recommendations from the community steering group, the Council has already agreed to rename Cassland Road Gardens, named after slave owner Sir John Cass. Residents will be invited to take part in a consultation to agree on a new name early next year. Ideas shared via the Hackney Naming Hub and at this event could be considered as part of this.
Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Human Resources said: “The names of slave owners and those responsible for taking the lives of so many Black people, should not be honoured in our community. 2020 has been an important year for taking real action in the fight against racism. This is a small part of that big fight. We hope residents take the opportunity to join us as we face our history and look forward to a more inclusive Hackney”.
Ngoma Bishop, Steering Group Member, said: “We’re happy to be working with Hackney Council to ensure that residents and people working or studying in the borough are involved in all aspects of the process and not only consulted but instrumental in the selection of alternative names for our borough”.
Notes for editors:
The online event, Representing African & Caribbean communities in our public place names, will be held Wednesday 9 December 6pm - 7.30pm. Tickets are free. Book now.
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
Visit Hackney’s Naming Hub at hackneynaminghub.commonplace.is
Suggestions can also be submitted over the telephone by calling 020 8356 4501or sent via email to NamingHub@hackney.gov.uk
Hackney’s Naming Hub press release
More details on Hackney Council’s review into the naming of local landmarks, buildings and public spaces can be read here.
More details on Hackney Council’s Black Lives Matter Motion can be read here.
The previous press release on the renaming of Cassland Road Gardens can be read here.