News / Roy Hackett
Funeral of Roy Hackett set to bring streets to a standstill
The life of Roy Hackett is set to be celebrated on Friday in a day of remembering the civil rights pioneer and community activist who died in August.
Roy was one of the lead organisers of the Bristol Bus Boycott, which mobilised people across the city to stop using Bristol Omnibus Company buses because of its refusal to hire black and Asian people.
In April 1963, he stood in the middle of Fishponds Road to block the entrance to the city’s main bus station.
is needed now More than ever
The protests that followed forced the company to change its policies and is credited with paving the way in passing the Race Relations Act of 1965 and 1968.
On August 3, the 93-year-old passed away and the family have invited people to join them in celebrating Roy’s life on Friday.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
In Loving Memory of Roy Hackett MBE
Peace, Love and Blessings
Hoo Law 2022 pic.twitter.com/1wo3idclVh
— Lawrence Hoo (@LawrenceHoo) August 21, 2022
Roy’s remembrance event will take place at Elim Church on Jamaica Street from 11am on Friday, followed by burial at South Bristol Cemetery with a wake at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.
Before the funeral, a cortege for the community elder will begin at James Street in St Werburgh’s at 9.45am and depart at 10am, going on to weave through Sevier Street and into St Paul’s.
It will continue along Sussex Place, Ashley Road and the Malcolm X Centre. Arriving at Stokes Croft, the procession will head down to the Bearpit and pass Bristol Bus Station before proceeding to his funeral at the church in Kingsdown.
Roy, who once said he was “born an activist”, grew up in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to Britain in 1952, living in Liverpool, London and Wolverhampton, before settling in Bristol.
He went on to co-found the Commonwealth Coordinated Committee, which set up Bristol’s St Paul’s Carnival in 1968. Roy was appointed an MBE in 2020.
Anyone wanting further information about the day is asked to call Adams Funeral Directors on 07860555133 or email craig@adamsfuneraldirectors.co.uk.
Main photo: Boomsatsuma
Read next:
- Bristol civil rights hero Roy Hackett dies
- Telling the story of the Bristol Bus Boycott
- Wall that featured mural of Roy Hackett undergoing repairs
- Tributes paid to much-loved St Paul’s community elder
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