Arsenal players will don white kits to support the ‘No More Red’ campaign, aiming to combat knife crime and youth violence in London.
London: Arsenal is stepping up to tackle knife crime and youth violence. While politicians and police are searching for solutions, the football club is using its platform to make a difference.
Tomorrow, the players will wear all-white shirts instead of their usual red. They want to send a strong message that no more blood should be shed and that carrying a knife is never the answer.
This week’s tragic events in southeast London highlight why the “No More Red” campaign is so crucial. Kelyan Bokassa, just 14, was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich, marking a heartbreaking start to the year.
He was the first teenager killed in London this year, following a string of fatalities in 2023, most of which involved stabbings. The campaign was inspired by the murder of Ben Kinsella, another young Arsenal fan, back in 2008.
In the upcoming FA Cup match against Manchester United, the players will wear these special shirts to raise awareness. Myles Lewis-Skelly, an 18-year-old rising star, emphasized the importance of keeping young people safe.
He mentioned how vital it is for the club to advocate for change and support the community. Arsenal is committed to helping people grow and stay together through this campaign.
Meanwhile, Alessia Russo, ahead of the women’s FA Cup match, visited a local pitch that Arsenal supports to provide safe spaces for kids to play football. She wants communities to focus on positive role models instead of being affected by knife crime.
Russo expressed her concern about the ongoing violence, saying it’s scary and disheartening. She believes that sports can create significant change and that having safe, accessible places for kids to enjoy football is essential.
The goal is to show young people that there are better paths than violence, even if they don’t become professional footballers. Arsenal and its partners are focused on providing real solutions, not just changing shirts for one match.
Since launching “No More Red” in 2022, the Ben Kinsella Trust has seen an increase in teenage deaths, but they’re also seeing more young people accessing their services. Trust CEO Patrick Green shared that their collaboration with Arsenal has made a difference in keeping young people safe.
Charlton Athletic has been running a similar initiative since 2008, but the recent stabbing of Kelyan Bokassa shows that more work is needed. The Ben Kinsella Trust believes that violence is preventable, not inevitable.
Green stressed the importance of investing in young people, helping them harness their talents, and providing job opportunities. Positive interventions can lead to thriving individuals who make good choices.
