City of Joy Statement Against Racism

While thousands across the world condemn racism and demand justice at global Black Lives Matter protests, City of Joy is mourning and rising against racism. The City of Joy community is revolted over the police killing of George Floyd and others and condemns both racism and police brutality. We demand justice for those whose lives have been sabotaged after Floyd was laid on the ground and handcuffed with his neck pinned under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer. This is pure racism! This is injustice! City of Joy is kneeling in solidarity with all protesters across the planet amid the COVID-19 pandemic response.

King Leopold II statues abound today in Belgium despite his folly of grandeur. protesters are tired of racism and have removed one in Antwerp after anti-racism protests. Today, City of Joy stands in solidarity with these protesters. We denounce King Leopold II’s brutal rule in Belgium's African colonies, most notably in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during which millions were brutally killed.

We will not forget Belgian Prime Minister Charles Miche’s speech of 4 April 2019, apologizing for the country’s actions toward mixed-race children in DR. We denounce the kidnapping, segregation, deportation and forced adoption of more than twenty thousands children born to mixed-race couples during Belgian colonial rule in Burundi, Congo and Rwanda. While we remember the Belgian’s apology and recognition of responsibility for the immense harm inflicted on our nations, which they colonized for eight decades; the apology is one step towards raising awareness and recognition of the tragic history of their colonialism. We demand that Belgium remove all statues of King Leopold II, whose violent, exploitative policies in the Congo were used to enrich Belgium.

We are offspring of those who went through colonialism. We are Congolese women who have been kidnapped, tortured and raped. We have been through so much. We are offspring of those who went through colonialism. We are Congolese women who have been kidnapped, tortured and raped. We have been through so much. We stand and RISE IN SOLIDARITY with the protesters!

Please SIGN the petition: Remove all Leopold II statues

#BlackLivesMatter
#RiseInSolidarity
#TurningPainToPower