Dear Everyone who Signed and Supported the Bristol Bus Boycott Petition,

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude. We want to thank you for supporting and participating in the petition to stop a police horse from being named after one of the heroes of the Bristol Bus Boycott. We are thrilled to inform you that our collective efforts have been successful, leading to a positive outcome.

Avon and Somerset Police, and Curiosity UnLtd, the organizers of the competition, have officially withdrawn the initiative and both have issued  public apologies. An open apology letter from Curiosity UnLtd, dated September 29, 2023, (see quote below) expressed regret for any distress caused and acknowledged the reasonable concerns raised by our petition. They have heard our voices, listened to the community, and taken decisive action by cancelling the horse renaming initiative.

Furthermore, Curiosity UnLtd have reached out to convene a meeting between the Police and Black Think Tank UK, aiming to foster dialogue and collaboration for future initiatives.

It is important to note,

1. While BBC Bristol initially published an article announcing the competition, they have not yet (to our knowledge) published an article stating the competition's withdrawal and the organizers' apology.
2. Despite extensively quoting from the petition blurb, the Bristol Post has not mentioned the author of the petition in its coverage of the competition's withdrawal.

However, the withdrawal and apology have been confirmed by Curiosity UnLtd, (see quote below) and we can take pride in the fact that our collective efforts have led to this positive resolution. (See article links below)

Once again, I want to express our deepest appreciation for your support in signing the petition. It is through our combined voices that positive change has been achieved. Our commitment to respectful recognition of Bristol Bus Boycott Heroes has made a significant impact.

Thank you for standing with us in this important endeavour. Together, we have made a difference.

Yours sincerely,

Black Think Tank UK

 

 

See articles here: 

1. Police withdraw competition to name one of its horses after black pioneers (aol.co.uk) https://www.aol.co.uk/news/police-withdraw-competition-name-one-120734747.html
2. Avon and Somerset Police withdraws competition to name horse after Bristol Bus Boycott pioneer | ITV News West Country https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2023-09-29/police-force-admits-bristol-bus-boycott-competition-was-a-mistake
3. Police apologise for 'insult' of competition to rename horse after Bristol's Black bus boycott pioneers - Bristol Live (bristolpost.co.uk) https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/police-apologise-insult-competition-rename-8792261.amp
4. Police withdraw competition to name one of its horses after black pioneers (yahoo.com) https://www.yahoo.com/news/police-withdraw-competition-to-name-one-of-its-horses-after-black-pioneers-120734071.html

 

Quote from Curiosity UnLtd Open Apology 

• "Open apology letter from Curiosity UnLtd  - Thursday, 29 September 2023
      
  Dear All,
   
  On August 28th 1963, the Bristol Bus Boycott won its victory for equality. Today, one month after having led a city-wide initiative honouring its 60th anniversary as the Disruptor-In-Chief of Curiosity UnLtd, an independent Think-And-Do-Tank for racial justice, I felt it important to share an open
  apology responding to a recent petition initiated by Black Think Tank UK.
   
  This petition has raised reasonable questions, debate and constructive suggestions on how Avon & Somerset Constabulary should mark the Bristol Bus Boycott. As part of this, the petition highlights the
  renaming of the police horse. For context this is one of sixty ways that sixty different organisations and individuals are honouring the 60th anniversary. This celebratory season is outlined below.
   
  However, at Curiosity UnLtd, we recognise that this renaming initiative has caused unintentional distress among some sections of our community; therefore, we unreservedly apologise. We have heard, listened and can announce that this horse renaming initiative has been withdrawn.
   
  Going forward we will be apologising to all the families. We will embrace the learnings and to work more closely with the community to co-create better ways to honour the boycotts legacy. As part of this we have reached out to convene a meeting between the Police and Black Think Tank UK. And as
  many reading this may have strong views too, we welcome you sharing your constructive ideas on how Avon & Somerset Police can honour the Bristol Bus Boycott here. We will do our best to keep you informed on relevant updates and ways that you can get involved" 

 

 

 

 

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