MELKSHAM teenager, Botan Williams, has received an award for her organisation of last year’s peaceful demonstration in the Market Place to support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
16-year-old Botan was given a Special Recognition Award at the MTM Awards – organised by Mast The Magazine, which celebrates the achievements of people from Asian, black and ethnic communities in the South West – for her protest organised to raise awareness of racism and inequality in societies all over the world, including how the police treat black people. She was also named as a finalist in the Young Achievers Award category.
In response to her nomination, Botan said, “Without hesitation or fear of judgement, I stand up for what I believe is right. I’ve given an insight and a new perspective/outlook on the Black Lives Matter movement to our town.”
“We are so proud of her,” Botan’s mother Joy Williams told Melksham News. “She organised the Black Lives Matter protest herself – this award shows what you can achieve when you are determined and passionate about what you believe in.”
Around 120 people joined Botan for Melksham’s BLM protest last year in June. The teenager described the protest as helping to take a small step towards dismantling all forms of racism.
The protest also made international headlines – The Economist, an international weekly newspaper, reported on protests held in Amsterdam, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Paris, São Paulo, – and Melksham.
The Economist reported, “Even where police brutality is rarer, attention has turned to domestic racism. In Melksham, a small town in England, 120 people gathered on June 7th to protest against it. Some 97% of the town’s inhabitants are white. It has not seen a major protest since woollen-mill workers rioted in 1802.”
However, whilst Botan has been celebrated for her achievements, the teenager has experienced bullying in response to last year’s protest.
Botan’s mother, Joy, explained to Melksham News that because of the bullying, Botan has decided to attend school outside of Melksham.
