Black Hackney councillors at women’s day event asked ‘are you cleaners?’
The councillors were attending an International Women’s Day event at City Hall. Photograph: Sophie Conway / Twitter
Three black Hackney councillors attending an International Women’s Day conference at City Hall were asked by a white security guard if they were there to clean, it has emerged.
Councillors Sophie Conway, Carole Williams and Sade Etti attended the event at City Hall and said they were challenged by a white security guard.
Attended an #IWD2017 event at City Hall and on arrival was asked by security if we were there to clean. The struggle continues sisters ✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/4t7dxhNucm
— Sophie Conway (@SophieConway84) March 12, 2017
A spokesperson for the Greater London Authority said it did not tolerate discrimination and was investigating the matter.
The event was held on Friday 10 March, two days after International Women’s Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.
All three Hackney councillors have said they do not want the security guard to lose his job.
What happened on Friday is indicative of a wider issue about the role of women in society and the perceptions and images of black women
— Carole Williams (@carolewilliams) March 15, 2017