The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine extends condolences to the families and friends of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Gambian Momodou Lamin Sisay and others, who died as a result of police brutality in the United States of America. We stand in solidarity with all those speaking up and fighting for justice, and to end centuries of racism, racial inequality, and the systemic oppression of Black people in America and other parts of the world. We join the call for justice for the victims, and for an end to systemic police brutality everywhere, including The Gambia.

We acknowledge that racism is not only an issue in the USA, as evidenced by the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. We recognise that we all have a role to play and that university and research spaces are not free from racism and discrimination.

We are committed to addressing inequalities within and outside our institution, as reflected in our mission to improve health equity, and provide training and mentorship for African scientists. As a community we strive to learn, to reflect and to support our staff and students by looking into our own structures and spaces with humility and care in order to contribute to the fight against racism.