Tag: Sean Rigg

Video from Saturday’s march to end deaths in custody

video from @OccupiedTimes

Extract from opening speech by Minkah Adofo of United Families and Friends Campaign:

“We are here today, at a very minimum, to say that these people, our loved ones, did not die in vain. Second, we are here today to say to the British government that we want justice. And third, we are here to recognise that these killings are not just about isolated officers… they are backed up by the state.

We want everyone to know this is not just an issue that affects the Black community, although we are disproportionately represented… In fact, the majority of the people killed in custody are actually white.

It’s important that you support the campaign, because an important question is raised over these killings, and the question is – what kind of society do we want to live in? It seems very clear to us, that we are living under a police state. Because when the police, and the various agencies of the state can go out and commit these brutal murders and get away with it, it means that none of us are safe.”

Also featured in the video:

  • Marcia Rigg, sister of Sean Rigg
  • Carole Duggan, aunt of Mark Duggan
  • Myrna Simpson, mother of Joy Gardner
  • Ajibola Lewis, mother of Seni Lewis

More coverage:

Screening of Migrant Media’s new film ‘Burn’ this Friday 17 October

temp-burn-by-migrant-media

 

Description:

‘Burn’
(30minutes/UK/2014/Migrant Media)

Collective memory is a fire that never dies.

In August 2011 Britain was on fire – what was the spark that led to the crisis? When Mark Duggan was shot by the police the scene was set for a confrontation but it was not the first time. In this grass-roots documentary we hear why Tottenham burned, show how the flames spread and look at the deep-rooted reasons that have set fires blazing in the last four decades. Four people in this small community, all black and working class, have died at the hands of the police and this film retraces their story. Powerful witness testimonies are balanced against police reaction to the violence that exploded and the film offers a fresh political analysis of the cause of the uprising. Exploring ideas of collective memory ‘Burn’ is poetry for the people.

This event will feature a screening of the new documentary film by Migrant Media, followed by a Q&A with Marcia Rigg (Sister of Sean Rigg), Minkah Adofo (United Families & Friends Campaign) and Director Ken Fero.

 

Event information:

Organised by London Campaign Against Police and State Violence & United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC)

Lecture Theatre B04, Birkbeck, 43 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PD

Starts 6pm.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/728179040588509/

Crown Prosecution Service – charge the killers now!

On 6 August, we stood in solidarity with the family members of Sean Rigg, Habib Ullah, Leon Patterson and many others as they called on the Crown Prosecution Service to deliver justice.  The United Families and Friends campaign is a coalition of those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody. UFFC said:

The Crown Prosecution Service is charged with inaction. Last week charges were brought against the officer who shot dead Azelle Rodney in 2005. Why did his mother, Susan Alexander, have to wait nine years for that officer to be charged?

Many other families whose loved ones died in custody, are still waiting for the CPS to make a decision. The standard response in recent years has been ‘ not enough evidence to prosecute’ – but this is not good enough.

Crown Prosecution Service – charge the killers now!

You can see pictures from the picket by clicking the Storify link below:

[View the story “United Friends and Family campaign picket” on Storify]