here - Anne Frank Trust UK

is truly proud to support
the work of
the Anne Frank Trust UK
My relationship
with the
Anne Frank Trust
by Doreen Lawrence OBE
It is 20 years since Stephen Lawrence, Doreen’s
18-year-old son, was stabbed to death in a racial
attack in southeast London. Since then Doreen has
fought tirelessly for justice.
Doreen writes for us about her relationship with
the Anne Frank Trust.
I first encountered the Anne Frank Trust in 1996 when they were
preparing a brand new travelling exhibition called A History for Today.
Gillian approached me about creating a section on Stephen’s life to show
young people that murderous racism still existed in 1990s London. It was
the days before photos could be scanned and emailed, and I decided to loan
several of our precious photos of Stephen’s childhood, as well as some of his
possessions, so they could create the panels.
The exhibition was launched at Southwark Cathedral in January 1997
and the launch event was my first meeting with Tony Blair while he was
the opposition leader. It was later that same year that Tony Blair became
Prime Minister and the then Home Secretary Jack Straw agreed to set up
the Inquiry into Stephen’s murder. The Inquiry was to look into matters
arising from the death of Stephen and lessons to be learned.
I recall being invited to open the Anne Frank exhibition at Durham
Cathedral in 2000 and seeing again the panel about Stephen.
One of the photos was taken at his school when he had just
lost his milk teeth and his cheeky boyish grin revealed a
wide toothless gap. I remembered saying to him about
not smiling, showing his gap, this resulted in the photo
people see today.
Stephen would be 38 now, possibly even with his own
children. Twenty years after his brutal murder, I am
pleased that Stephen’s story is still included in the
Anne Frank exhibitions and is seen by thousands of
young people each year.
Like many of you at this event today, I wish
the Anne Frank Trust success for many years
to come as they continue their remarkable
educational work.
Holocaust Memorial Day | Annual Lunch | The Anne Frank Trust | 22