Poet Levi Tafari pleads to save the African Caribbean Centre in Liverpool from a school development.
Campaigners stood outside Liverpool Town Hall. They supported the African Caribbean Centre. The center’s future is uncertain. Liverpool Council wants to use land near Upper Parliament Street. They plan a new secondary school there.
The African Caribbean Centre is on that land. It has been there for decades. This plan causes concern. Liverpool needs more school places soon. The council might use land occupied by the centre. This sparked protests. People voiced their concerns in the city.
Levi Tafari described what the center means. He spoke to the ECHO newspaper. He is a celebrated poet. The city honored him in 2023. He said they don’t oppose a religious school, but it shouldn’t replace the center. The center provides space for the Black community.
They celebrate Caribbean culture there. Levi said the center welcomes all faiths. He emphasized its importance. Liam Robinson leads Liverpool Council. He wants the center to stay and remain on the site. He said this is a preferred cabinet position. He understands the community’s passion.
Demonstrators carried signs. The signs said “Black Lives Matter.” They also wanted to save the center. Selvin Nugent also attended. He noted the center hosts funerals. Selvin said they feel unseen. He complained about lack of resources. “Enough is enough,” he stated.
The Department for Education wants the school in L7/L8/L15 areas. The proposal includes land on Upper Parliament Street. Addae Gaskin called the center a “beating heart.” It is a “sanctuary of culture,” he added. He said they have a right to stay. The community built the area, he noted.
The center opened in 1977. John Hamilton hoped it would unite groups and help them understand each other. The first West Indian carnival was in 1978. Nathalie Nicholas spoke at a cabinet meeting. She said the site has “profound significance.”
It supports cultural activities. The center promotes heritage and creates a feeling of inclusion. Councillors called for the center to stay put. They want a new school location. A final decision happens next month.