All posts by Janet Powe

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BLMUK, Palestine and media anti-Semitism slurs

Black Lives Matter Movement (BLMM) was formed in London in 2016 and is not affiliated to BLMUK. 

BLMM does however support the struggle against racism in all its forms, be it against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or anti-Arab racism. 

Criticising the state of Israel is not anti-Semitic and we support BLMUK’s call for solidarity with the Palestinians. 

Labour Party racism against black women MPs not addressed

Furthermore, it is shocking that the Labour Party has still not disciplined staff members for their racism towards black women MPs.

The lack of concern in the media concerning this blatant racism by Labour staffers is equally disturbing. 

Amnesty International on Israeli training of US police

As Amnesty International has pointed out, Israeli police forces have played a key role in training militarised US police forces. Whether this involves training in the restraint methods used to kill George Floyd is not known but we note that this specific allegation has been denied by the Israeli state.

Here’s an excerpt from the Amnesty report published in 2016:

Baltimore law enforcement officials, along with hundreds of others from Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington state as well as the DC Capitol police have all traveled to Israel for training. Thousands of others have received training from Israeli officials here in the U.S.

Nevertheless, as Israeli human rights group B’Tselem has documented, Palestinians are routinely killed by Israeli police and occupation forces using live ammunition, ‘non-lethal’ weapons and restraint methods. 

An injury to one is an injury to all

This anti-BLMUK witch hunt weakens the fight against all forms of racism.

Of course the focus of the black lives matter movement is on fighting anti-Black racism but we see the connections to other forms of racism.

Attacking BLMUK for standing up for Palestinians is an attempt to weaken the anti-racist movement, and this would appear to be the aim of much of the media and the right in this country.

For those that may have missed – here is the BLMUK tweet in support of the Palestinians:

action, events

Justice for Shukri Abdi – protest Hyde Park London Saturday 27th June 1pm

Below is the text from the petition started nearly a year ago demanding a full investigation into the drowning of Shurki, which many suspect was in fact an act or murder. The campaign is supported by John Boyega and the daughter of Malcolm X, Ilyasah Shabazz, and US rapper Ice Cube.

We call for a criminal investigation to be opened into the circumstances surrounding the death of Shukri Abdi and for a criminal prosecution to take place

We want a fair trial in the case where we get fair justice for the murder of Shukri Abdi – we do not want it to be brushed under the carpet like nothing happened. And we want to see appropriate action taken against those who were involved in the murder of Shukri Abdi.

We want to see Real Justice – based upon a proper and full criminal investigation which should be opened ASAP – and not brushed away like it was 11 months ago.

12-year-old Shurki drowned in the River Irwell in Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police said it was treating what happened as a “tragic incident” and did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances.

Shukri’s family, who live in Bury, said she could not swim and playing by the river was “out of character”.

Her uncle, Mustaf Omar, said: “She was a sweet, innocent child. Her mum is absolutely destroyed.”

“Everything about it is out of character for her.

“She couldn’t swim so she wouldn’t even go near the edge.”

Shukri, from Somalia, was the eldest of five children and was new to the country, Mr Omar said.

She attended Broad Oak Sports College.

Head teacher Paul Greenhalgh said: “Shukri was a lovely young girl, always smiling, always wanting to please people and work hard.”

Sign the petition