A British photographer’s campaign to mark the anniversary of George Floyd’s death

A British photographer launched a campaign to mark the two years since the death of George Floyd.

Cephas Williams’ 929 campaign, featured on billboards across London, will pay tribute to Mr Floyd and continue the conversation about systemic racism.

A virtual vigil, organized by Mr Williams, will be held at 9.29am on Wednesday to draw attention to the time it took for Mr Floyd to be killed.

Mr Williams told the PA news agency: “Nine minutes and 29 seconds have been revealed as the time it took George Floyd to lose his life.”

Mr. Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020 by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck despite him repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe.”

The news of Floyd’s death was particularly poignant for Mr Williams as it came a day before his son, Zion, was born.

It inspired Mr Williams to write a letter to his son to outline his aim to work to dismantle systemic racism through his organisation, the Black British Network.

In the letter, Mr Williams wrote: “My concern is that if we stand still and do not take bold and tangible steps forward at this crucial moment of awakening, when you are my age you may be writing a letter like this to your son or your daughter.

“I just can’t sit back and let this happen.

“This is not the kind of world I want to leave behind for you, so I will do my best to change it.

“So, in addition to becoming a father, I became a custodian of the future – our future – and I share that responsibility with all my colleagues.”

Since its launch in 2020, the Letter to Zion has been signed by 44 executives who have pledged to drive the conversation to drive systemic change for black people in the UK.

Mr Williams said: “The reason I can talk about it now is because I have a billboard next to me and I have a position of influence.

“That’s part of what we have to design, I shouldn’t activate it like this.

“The very nature of life means there will always be hope, (but) I feel like sometimes the conversation about hope is an attempt for leaders to do selfless things.

“I think it’s less about hope and more about healing.”

To learn more about the 929 campaign, visit www.cephaswilliams.com/929