The
funeral of Anthony Walker, who was murdered in a horrific racist attack in
Huyton, Liverpool on 30th July 2005 took place on 25th August at Liverpool
Cathedral. The funeral was attended by over 3,000 people, with family members
from across Britain and the US.
Anthony racist murder was chillingly similar to that of Stephen Lawrence in
1992. Both lived in predominantly white areas, where a culture of racism exists,
often without serious challenge. Anthony, just like Stephen, was at a bus
stop with his cousin and girlfriend when he was racially abused and savagely
attacked, reminiscent of the deep south mentality that shockingly still exists
in Britain. Soon after Anthony’s murder, Doreen Lawrence visited the
spot where he was attacked, commenting on how racism exists in its most extreme
form: the murder of a young person because of the colour of his skin.
Maria Carnegie, Anthony’s paternal aunt said: “The
family is utterly devastated by what has happened. Anthony’s loss in
this horrific way has scarred us all and my brother Steve is showing enormous
strength at this very difficult time. The support we received from Doreen
Lawrence, Audrey Adams (mother of Rolan Adams who was murdered in 1991 in
a racist attack at the age of 14), the National Assembly Against Racism and
the 1990 Trust has been invaluable.
The police in Liverpool have so far arrested eight people, two of whom have
appeared in court charged with the murder, which was being considered to be
a racist murder from the start. Their trial will begin in November.