THE ETHICAL NAME CHANGE CAMPAIGN GROUP SAYS:   

                     RENAME THE SCHOOL

For several generations, people in and around the Harlesden area familiar with the horrific acts of the Belgium Butcher King Leopold II have felt uncomfortable, embarrassed and dismayed that a local primary school - now on two sites - has borne the name Leopold. This has to change! Addressing understandable concerns, Belgium has started to remove statues of him. We want to ensure that the Board of Governors is supported by Brent Council to rectify this unacceptable state of affairs.

The Ethical Name Change Group is campaigning for a timely name change and after the point blank refusal of the school’s Governing Board to even meet to discuss the issue, almost two years of trying to get Brent Council (London borough of Culture 2020) to act, a non-engagement stance by the Brent Central MP or any support from significant press, we are taking the matter to the people. It is time for Leopold Road and the two primary schools to be replaced with a more suitable name. Such a name on any building where moral values are taught to our young, is simply unacceptable because of the association with a genocidal monster. Despite the efforts of some to minimalize, justify, rationalize, deny or even advocate for retention of the name; we must take bold steps to tackle Systemic and Institutional Racism. We owe it to our young, particularly in this time.

There is substantial information on Leopold 11 (the Belgium Butcher) readily available online.

For specific information on the four site demonstration on July 12, or other ways of supporting the campaign; please contact us on: ethicalnamechange@gmail.com