Why gestures of solidarity are needed now more than ever - the YEP says

In the long weeks since the UK’s lockdown first began, there have been countless stories about how communities in Leeds have united.
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We’ve seen thousands of people sign up as volunteers with the NHS or the city-wide scheme to help the most vulnerable people.

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Others have shown compassion through small, often unseen, acts of kindness, from writing letters to care home residents to donating essentials to a food bank.

Jessica O'Shea, pictured with daughter Aida, faced abuse after putting this homemade Black Lives Matter poster in the window of her Leeds home - but her faith in people was restored when many in the community rallied behind her to display copies in their own windows. Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeJessica O'Shea, pictured with daughter Aida, faced abuse after putting this homemade Black Lives Matter poster in the window of her Leeds home - but her faith in people was restored when many in the community rallied behind her to display copies in their own windows. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Jessica O'Shea, pictured with daughter Aida, faced abuse after putting this homemade Black Lives Matter poster in the window of her Leeds home - but her faith in people was restored when many in the community rallied behind her to display copies in their own windows. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
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And, of course, there were the nationwide displays of gratitude for key workers as many of us took to our doorsteps weekly to applaud them.

These actions, big and small, demonstrated the power of compassion and solidarity at a time when we were being asked to work together to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

It would be sad to see this spirit wither away as the lockdown eases and other challenges remain.

Let’s hope it is the gesture of others displaying the Black Lives Matter poster made by Jessica O’Shea, and not the intimidation she faced, that we carry forward as a city.

Also in news: People in Leeds to kneel in solidarity against racism in wake of Black Lives Matter movement