Marvin Rees: Now let’s have our own Obama moment

Marvin Rees may not be  the UK’s Barack Obama, but if he is elected, like President Barack Obama he will make history and he will inspire hundreds of thousands of Black people in the UK and beyond.

If Marvin is elected on the 15th of Nov, he will become the first directly elected Mayor of African descent, not just in the UK but right across Europe. Equally, governing a major city with a nearly 400 million pound budget, he becomes on of the most powerful Black men in the country .

Symbolically too this  is a very big deal. Marvin stands before the people of Bristol to represent all its citizens fairly and honestly, but he could have stood before its citizens some 280 years ago as commercial chattel, or, crudely put, as a slave. Because from 1730-1745 Bristol was the main slave port for the UK. In fact the prominence and wealth of Bristol owes itself directly to slavery. Nearly 300 years later one of the sons of an African enslaved man now stands before Bristolians to be their elected representative. A journey of truly historical proportions.

Lastly, and also of critical importance, Marvin is a good man who cares about racial and social justice. There’s no doubt that he’ll be a Mayor who will inspire a generation, help unlock potential Bristol’s talent, and be a beacon across Europe. So whilst we celebrate Obama’s stunning victory lets ensure we support those individuals such as Marvin who seek to play their role delivering a fairer and more dynamic society.

Let's get Marvin elected.

http://www.marvin4bristol.com/

Simon Woolley