THE founder of an anti-racism movement launched to combat discrimination in rural areas has said more work needs to be done.

Gurpreet Kaur is the founder of the Wivenhoe Black Lives Matter group and last summer co-organised a protest called BLM in the Stix.

The powerful demonstration saw more than 240 activists line the River Colne in a united stand against racism and incidents of police brutality.

Spread out over an 11-mile strip between Wivenhoe and Rowhedge, the congregation held aloft placards with powerful messages.

The show of solidarity was arranged to show people in rural areas can play their part in fighting discrimination.

It came following the death of George Floyd, who was murdered by police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25 last year.

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Following the killing of the 46-year-old father-of-five, protests broke out around the world, including in Colchester Castle Park.

One year on, Gurpreet, of Wivenhoe, said the battle was not over yet.

She said: “I’m exhausted. You would think the day Derek Chauvin was pronounced guilty I would have been celebrating - I wasn’t.

“I felt like it wasn’t justice at all, it was a necessary step but it wasn’t enough.”

According to statistics published by Essex Police, there were 2,602 racially-motivated hate crimes across the county in 2020.

Since the initial protest, Gurpreet’s team has used social media to promote anti-racism campaigns with the hope of reducing such figures.

The group of volunteers has also published regular newsletters to its followers to help educate people living in Colchester’s rural areas.

“I have never been more passionate about anything and I feel like I started something great when I helped start this campaign,” she added.

“But we feel like we are getting less interaction now with people.

“Ending rural racism, as shiny a dream as it is, isn’t going to happen in a year, or two years or three years.

“It’s going to take time and energy but I still strongly believe in the power of this movement and of people.”