The best quotes from Bristol24/7 interviewees in 2021

2021 has been quite the year and people across Bristol have been as inspiring as ever. Here are just a few of our favourite quotes from Bristol24/7 interviewees over the last 12 months:

Amelie, dancer at Urban Tiger

“Regardless of what people’s opinions is on sex work, we want to remind people that this is first and foremost a workers rights issue. As sex workers and dancers, we are workers and as workers, we deserve to be safe at work.”

Read more: Dancer speaks out about proposed ban on strip clubs in Bristol

Nicola Bartlett, owner of Eclectic Gift Shop

“It’s been a tough couple of years for independent high street cafes, pubs, restaurants and retailers. Vote with your money this Christmas. Spend your money in those colourful, vibrant businesses that help to make the world a better place.”

Read more: ‘Support those independents that help make the world a better place’ 

Clayton Planter, CEO of Street2Boardroom

Clayton Planter

“As ethnic people, we’re fighting to be ourselves still. It’s assumed that if we make it into boardrooms we’ll have to leave behind our culture and adopt a white mentality.”

Read more: ‘Bristol is great at talking but bad at delivering when it comes to diversity’

Jim Smith, Filwood Tree Champion

“Trees are important in Knowle West because we live in quite a deprived area and there aren’t that many of them about, so the more the merrier. They’re restful on the eye, they clean the air, and they provide a habitat for lots of wildlife.”

Read more: Meet the man championing trees in Knowle West

Tara Miran, co-founder of St Paul’s Community Garden

“Inequity in access to opportunities, progression, participation and training are massive barriers for women, especially women of colour, so if women are focused on and involved, we can move forward together as a more fruitful and fair society.”

Read more: The Bristol hero championing women and addressing gender inequalities

Abdul Malik, chair of Easton Jamia Mosque

Abdul Malik, chair of Easton Jamia Mosque with Junior Sheikh, director of the MTM Awards – photo courtesy of MTM Awards

“The Mosque feels that the responsibility is upon them to propagate the true message of Islam, which teaches about sustainability, productivity and unity in tackling such issues that face our coming generations.”

Read more: Environmental actions at Bristol Mosque win national recognition

Annali Grimes, founder and director of LitterARTI

“The culture of DIY skate builders highlights the importance of claiming a space for the community.”

Read more: How DIY skateparks reassert ownership over the city’s abandoned spaces

Ani Stafford-Townsend, Green Party councillor 

“I have been a feminist my entire life, with my feminism growing, learning and evolving with time and expanded understanding. My feminism is intersectional, and at its heart is the mantra “nothing about us, without us”.

Read more: “Without safe venues, women will be forced to dance in dangerous situations”

Travis Alabanza, writer and performer

“Bristol is known for its artistic community, it’s known for its culture, but what we’re seeing is gentrification rapidly taking all of that away. And so when we see spaces that are doing things that are adding to the community, we have to fight to keep them.”

Read more: Landlord locks door of much-loved cafe and bookshop

James Chandler, Glad Colston’s Gone Collective

Glad Colston’s Gone protesters outside Merchants’ Hall – photo: Rob Browne

“For centuries, the Society of Merchant Venturers have promoted Colston as a philanthropist, obscuring the brutal origins of his money. On Monday four people will be on trial for alleged criminal damage to the Colston statue and the SMV have nothing to say – so we’re coming to the doorstep of this unaccountable private members club.”

Read more: Carnival atmosphere outside court as Colston 4 trial begins

Main photo: Nicky Ebbage

Read more: 22 things to look forward to in 2022

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