As European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO) we stand with the Black Lives Matter movement and we say it loud and clear: In Europe, Black and Brown Lives Matter!
Structural racism and discrimination against ethnic and racialised minorities are deeply rooted in European societies. Across the EU, people of African descent, Roma, Muslims, Jews and immigrants face widespread and entrenched prejudice and exclusion.
Roma are more likely to live in poverty than the majority population, have a higher risk of unemployment and have poorer health – as tragically seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are exposed to discrimination, segregation and racism by their co-citizens and more often victims of police brutality.
