Protesters gathered outside Nottingham Castle led by grandmother and former curator Panya Banjoko almost a year after a reported 'racist incident' at the attraction. A child was reported to have racially abused Ms Banjoko's two grandchildren, then aged seven and 11, in a play area at the Castle on August 17, 2021.
A dispute then followed between two families. Nottinghamshire Police investigated the incident but no further action was taken because the accused child was below the age of criminal culpability.
An independent investigation into how the incident was handled found the written complaint was not managed in accordance with the Nottingham Castle Trust's complaints policy. It concluded that staff of the Castle "failed to enact the safeguarding procedures" listed on its website.
On Wednesday, August 10, Ms Banjoko and Stand Up to Racism campaigners protested outside the castle gates at 5.30pm, following previous protests over the handling of the incident. Ms Banjoko repeated her call for a meeting to be set up with the entire Nottingham Castle Trust Board, so that she can end the saga for her 'sanity and health'.
Read more: Protestors call for apology over handling of 'racist incident' at Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle Trust Board have said they did offer to meet Ms Banjoko on several occasions. But she claims they have not yet organised a meeting where all members of the board would be present.
Ms Banjoko said: "I need to end this, for my sanity and for my health. I've been dealing with this while I've been dealing with life, with it shifting focus from my studies in my PHD. I haven't been able to sleep or eat properly, I haven't been able to enjoy life or say to my granddaughters that there has been a conclusion from this.
"The impact that it has had on my family - I've been depressed and suffered from anxiety because of it and I just want an end, and I can't understand why they can't make meeting with me a priority.
"I don't understand why someone is not bringing the trustees to account, and I don't know why I'm being stonewalled. This is the kind of work I do, I was expecting us to sit down and talk it out - I was really looking forward to saying this is what we need to do to make it a more inclusive place."
Ivan Scarborough, 57, vice chair of Nottingham Stand Up to Racism, added: "It has affected Panya and her grandchildren. They should have a way of dealing with people in a professional manner.
"This is not a good way for them to look. Hopefully they will be justice - we need to put on pressure to solve this.
"They can organise functions, which I understand is going on today, so they must be able to organise a full meeting."
Ms Banjoko, who had been a curator at Nottingham Castle and is currently withholding her services. The incident last year took place as she took her grandchildren to see her exhibition entitled 'Don't Blame the Blacks'.
A spokesperson for Nottingham Castle Trust Board said: "Nottingham Castle fully supports the public right to peaceful protest which is why we have provided space for today’s protest to take place.
"The cause of the protest stems from an incident that took place in the Castle play area 12 months ago involving some of our visitors and some very young children where a subsequent complaint of racism was made.
"This incident was investigated by the Police and subject to an independent investigation where the Castle and our staff were found not to be at fault and there was no suggestion that any member of the Trust team had acted in a racist way. Panya declined the independent investigator’s invitation to participate in it. The Trust apologised to Panya and readily agreed to improve its staff training and safeguarding processes.
"Nottingham Castle Trust is firm in its stance against any form of discrimination, racism, hate or abuse. Panya has been invited to meet the Board on several occasions but has, to-date, been unwilling or unable to take-up this opportunity."
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