Category Archives: news

news, UK

Derby Black Lives Matter launches manifesto for change

Report by Derby BLM – Friday 31 July 2020:

Thank you everyone for an amazing launch today! Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas and worked on the manifesto and for the wonderful speakers, powerful poets, performers and support today.

You can read the manifesto at the link here.

Now we need all the agencies to turn words into action – you can help make it happen – keep telling your Councillor, public sector services, schools, enterprise agencies, local media & arts & heritage venues that this manifesto needs to be implemented, keep the momentum!

Taking The Knee in Derby on Friday at the launch of the Derby BLM Manifesto

With thanks to the BLM Derby Steering Group and to the organisations who have endorsed the manifesto in solidarity thank you: Spectrum Derbyshire Open Doors Derby Stand Up To RacismANFC Church DerbyHadhari project centre Noir Sports Derby West Indian Community AssociationDerbyshire Refugee SolidarityVox FeminarumRainbow RoutesDeeds Not Words Towards LiberationM-prez Enterprise International Women’s Day Derby Derby & Derbyshire Inspirational Women Awards Thanks to Communication Unlimited for BSL Interpreting today.

A copy of the Derby BLM Manifesto can be found at the link below:

https://issuu.com/blmderbyuk/docs/blm_derby_manifesto_final

Contact Derby BLm via their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesMatterDerby

Bristol, news, UK

Car attack in Bristol by violent racist minority trying to foment backlash

A health worker is lucky to be alive after racists deliberately drove their car into him.

The man has been left traumatised and is too scared to give his real name – but performs music under the name Kdogg.

Those who witnessed the attack said a dark blue Honda was involved and was driven directly at the NHS worker, who works at Southmead Hospital, Bristol.

The assailants jumped out of the car and hurled racist abuse at the victim.

He is now unable to climb stairs, and said he is traumatised by the attack.

Witnesses told police that a dark blue Honda Accord was deliberately driven at K before two men shouted racial abuse at him and then ran from the car.

The attack is being seen by many as part of a violent racist backlash against the black lives matter movement by frustrated racists and fascists.

Bristol was the site of the now famous incident in which an overwhelmingly white crowd estimated at 15,000 protesters, tore down the statute of slaver Edward Colston.

Kdogg is being supported by the charity Stand Against Racism & Inequality (Sari).

He told the media: “People came to help me off the wall I was on and I just remember bleeding.

“As I was helped off, I got laid on the floor and bandaged up.

“I want to thank the people who helped me because of how quickly they responded and how they rang the emergency services because, obviously, if it wasn’t for them I’m not sure if I would be here.”

There has been a spate of serious violent racist attacks over the past few days, for example in Bishop Stortford where there is a protest by anti-racists today (Saturday 1 August).

action, news, UK

No to racist attacks in Stortford – protest Saturday 1st August 12:30

A gang of racist teenage thugs attacked an Asian family in a park in a premeditated and sustained violent attack with baseball bats in Bishop’s Stortford .

Two young lads were left bloodied and traumatised by the incident

Described by local press as of south Asian origin – the kids were aged 14 and 10. The assault took place in Diamond Park.

Around 15 teenagers aged 14 to 17 are thought to have been responsible for the vicious attack.

The gang started off with racist abuse and then quickly moved on to violence. The gang only stopped the attack when two women intervened before even more serious injuries resulted.

The racist attack happened on July 23 (Thursday) at around 4.30pm.

A protest has been called today in Bishop Stortford to show that the majority of people in the town abhor and will oppose the tiny minority of violent racists.

The protest has been organised by Stortford Against Rhodes, Harlow Stand Up To Racism and Bishop Stortford Progressive

12:30 Saturday 1 August Diamond Park, Bishop Stortford CM23 3NN

action, news, US

Free 15-year-old black girl Grace – sent to jail for not doing her homework

Only in America can a black kid get sent to jail for not doing her homework. It’s unbelievable but true.

Your help is urgently required. We reproduce below the email we received from US civil rights organisation The Color of Change.

Have you heard the story about Grace?

15-year-old Grace, a Black girl from Michigan, was sent to jail during the height of the pandemic because she didn’t complete her homework.1 Rather than implementing a humane plan to get her back on track, Judge Mary Ellen Brennan decided to punish her with months in a cage.

How did we get here? And why was jail time the only remedy for a 15-year-old girl?

Simply put, the school to prison pipeline is real

Far too often, schools, prosecutors, and elected officials take a “zero tolerance” approach when dealing with behavioral problems in schools. Minor infractions like cursing, not completing homework, fighting with classmates, and missing class are seen as “criminal offenses” in the eyes of the court. And because Black communities and schools are overpoliced, Black children are disproportionately arrested and sent to juvenile detention for these minor issues.

We shouldn’t have to say this, but here we are: Kids. Do. Not. Belong. In. Cages.

#FreeGrace: Demand Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper drop all charges against Grace immediately.

At a May probation hearing for Grace, Judge Brennan, the presiding judge of the Oakland County Family Court Division, sentenced her to juvenile detention for violating her probation. Judge Brennan argued that Grace was “guilty on failure to submit to any schoolwork and getting up for school.”

Our criminal legal system is hellbent on doling out punishment to Black kids in court — their safety and wellbeing be damned. Even in the height of a deadly pandemic, Grace was separated from her family and sent to a jail facility where she’s now at a higher risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19. And that decision was upheld last week when Judge Brennan denied Grace’s tragic pleas to be released from jail.2

Thousands of Graces across the US

As shocking as her story is, there are thousands of Graces across the country — young Black girls who’ve been arrested, caged, and punished instead of receiving the counseling, mental health treatment, and academic support they need.

Tell Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper: Free Grace Now!

Too often, Black and Brown kids are funneled from their schools to juvenile detention centers for matters that should be handled at school — minor offenses like disciplinary issues, tardiness, and truancy. What Black students actually need are trained professionals who can support them through high-stress environments. That means more counselors, therapists, and mediation experts. 

Judge Brennan and the Oakland County court would rather invest in criminalizing a young Black girl than in her academic success and mental health. 

Add your name now: Stand with us to #FreeGrace. 

The criminal legal system should not have a role in disciplining our children. But because of the lack of investment in schools, teachers, and counselors, overfunded police departments, correctional systems, and jails are used as an intervention for Black kids. And the numbers speak for themselves. Black girls are six times more likely to be suspended than their white counterparts. And in Michigan, Black youth are incarcerated more than four times as often as white youth.3

Elected leaders invest hundreds of millions of dollars into policing our communities — but what would it look like if this money were given to counselors and teachers? What would it look like if resources were spent on investing in the mental health of our kids? We have to stop the systemic criminalization of Black youth starting with releases those who are needlessly incarcerated.

Grace must be released.

Until justice is real, 

Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Erika, Malachi, Marybeth, Madison, Leonard, Ernie, McKayla and the rest of the Color Of Change team

References:

1. “A Teenager Didn’t Do Her Online Schoolwork. So a Judge Sent Her to Juvenile Detention.” ProPublica. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/255754?t=10&akid=44229%2E6328536%2EpC0Xn5

2. “Michigan judge denies release of teenage girl who was jailed after not doing homework.” NBC News. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/256134?t=12&akid=44229%2E6328536%2EpC0Xn5

3. “A Teenager Didn’t Do Her Online Schoolwork. So a Judge Sent Her to Juvenile Detention.” ProPublica. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/255754?t=14&akid=44229%2E6328536%2EpC0Xn5

4. “Cops and No Counselors.” ACLU. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/134841?t=16&akid=44229%2E6328536%2EpC0Xn5

news, UK, Uncategorized

Anti-racist vigil after attack on church minibus in manchester

https://www.facebook.com/events/287278622550033/

After racist vandals target black congregation church #WeStandTogether united against racism and intimidation

“A church in Longsight has been targeted by racists. It is a black congregation who do lovely stuff in the Longsight area. Their minibus was smashed to bits and graffitied with ‘all lives matter’.

“We are holding a gathering to stand up to the racists at 2.30pm this Sunday outside the United Church of God on Rushford Street. M12 4UG”

Come and show solidarity . Socially distanced with masks please- all welcome.

news, US

NFAC militia Louisville march for Breonna set to brush aside far-right

Latest – 18:58 EST 25th July 2020:

Three people were injured in accidental fire before the NFAC march took place.

In a speech to thousands of militia members and protesters Grandmaster Jay gave the city authorities four weeks to charge the officers who killed Breonna Taylor.

The fascist Three Percenters militia were heavily outnumbered on the day.

Latest – live feed from Courier Journal 25th July 2020:

https://www.facebook.com/courierjournal/videos/2630713190528289/

On Friday 76 people were arrested in Louisville, Kentucky, in a police clampdown on peaceful protests in the city.

Protesters had blocked an intersection and the police responded with mass arrests.

The move comes before a threatened clash between black militia group the NFAC (Not Fucking Around Coalition) and fascist Kentucky Three Percenters militia.

The NFAC which came to prominence on 4 July with an armed march in Georgia at a location at which KKK white supremacist terror group supporters regularly gather to pay homage.

That paramilitary parade was entirely peaceful but there is a danger of clashes today, assuming the Facebook posts from the far-right are not just so much hot air.

From their actions on Friday the police seem to be making a statement about whose side they will be on.

Given the long traditions of racism in the force, the black militia can expect little in the way of facilitation as they exercise their constitutional rights.

NFAC Louisville march to press justice for Breonna Taylor

No police officers has been charged for the cold bloodied killing of Breonna.

The avowed aim of today’s NFAC formation is to press for justice for Breonna Taylor, a black woman who worked as an emergency medical technician who was brutally murdered in her home by Louisville police.

The NFAC led by grandmaster Jay had originally intended to form-up at Central High School, where legendary boxer and activists Mohammed Ali went to school.

Those plans have since changed.

A police spokesperson says the NFAC militia will instead be assembling at Baxter Square Park at Jefferson Street and 11th and 12th streets at 12 noon and then march to Jefferson Square Park.

NFAC’s Grandmaster Jay speaks before Louisville militia march
news, US

Feds repression in Portland faces growing resistance

For two months there have been daily protests against racial inequality and police brutality in Portland, Oregon.

Police repression has not been enough to stop the protests and so Trump has upped the ante, as he makes a bid to turn law and order into an election issue from which he can benefit, such is his cynicism.

But last night saw thousands of citizens on the streets as the movement widens not just as a protest for black lives but against the violent repression of the Fed forces, in the shape of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol agencies.

Both agencies have become heavily militarised over the years and are now being used against ordinary US citizens, in action lawmakers condemn as illegal.

Federal units have been operating as if in a war zone and using the tactics and operational procedures befitting of a full-blown dictatorship.

Protesters have been snatched and arrested by individuals dressed in unmarked camouflage suits. Eighteen now face serious Federal charges, raising the stakes further.

Portland citizens shot, gassed and clubbed by Trump stormtroopers

Peaceful citizens, including the city’s major, armed services veterans and a peaceful contingent of all-women protesters, have been tear-gassed and/or clubbed by the Feds.

As seen elsewhere in the US, the press has also been a frequent target of law enforcement bodies.

So-called non-lethal weapons that can in fact be lethal depending on how they are used, have been deployed with wild abandon by Federal forces acting as an out of control occupying force in the city.

Attempts to get judges to rule the deployment of the violent Fed troops illegal have failed so far.

The protest movement is overwhelmingly white, and that’s what probably riles Trump and his stormtroopers more than anything else.

Activists are attempting to organise for strikes in the city to drive out the Feds.

Cutting off all services to the Fed buildings in the city and the associated troops that were brought in under the pretence of protecting that property, could be a highly effective approach.

The people of Portland urgently need solidarity of the BLM movement and others from around the US and abroad.

Watch this space for further developments.

action, news, UK

Support nurse Monisola Abiodun’s fight against discrimination and oppression

Manisola Abiodun sent BLMM this appeal to raise funds to fight a civil case against her employer. She is not able to name the employer, but suffice to say it is a major general hospital in north London. Please give generously.

I am a qualified nurse with 22 years of experience. My passion has always been in cancer nursing (Haematology) I have been subjected to many forms of discrimination. In fact, I don’t remember not ever been treated as ‘less than’ my white colleagues .  Like many black nurses I got used to it (a way of protecting my feelings and to ensure that I am  focused on what was important: Patients’ care).

In the last year, my current NHS hospital employer have subjected me to unimaginableunfair treatment and this has continued. I have chosen to take the matter up legally. In all honesty, my case is not unique, but I have chosen to stand against a huge institution like my place of employment because I am just sick of it. 

I will gratefully appreciate your financial support to fight this case. I have both  a civil case and employment law case. Your financial assistance to fight these cases is most appreciated and I thank you in advance.

Monisola Abiodun fighting virus of Covid and racism

As a  BAME nurses in the NHS, significant numbers of us have been fighting the pandemic of discrimination, racism and all forms of unfair treatment and injustices for as long as we can remember. It is a virus that many of us have developed our own vaccination to combat. 

Many of us have settled for unimaginable unfairness yet the entrenchment of discrimination within the NHS does not know when to stop. The Covid-19 pandemic has shed some light on some of  the discrimination and racism in the NHS yet it appears that hospital Trusts are not taking note of this. 

I am a senior nurse. Like many, I devote my time, love, energy and passion into nursing. I have been subjected to unfair treatment at my place of work. I have been at this for a year now. It is costing me a significant amount in legal fees.

I am seeking financial assistance for legal fees in order to be able to fight the injustices that I have been subjected to. No amount is too small. I thank you for your assistance in advance for supporting me to fight the discrimination and oppression that  I have been subjected to.

news, UK

Video exclusive: violent stop and search arrest of Michael Wilson, 64, in Mitcham on 22 July

1 Comment

Michael Wilson was walking home from work in Mitcham yesterday (Wednesday 22 July) when he and a colleague, Lloyd, were stopped by police.

An altercation ensued when they tried to handcuff Michael, who was then forced to the ground by police officers and his head repeatedly forced into the ground.

Michael was splitting blood from the injuries caused by the police. At one stage eight officers were involved in the incident.

Mr Wilson is 64-years-old.

The pair had been clearing a garden and were on their home. Michael had a bag with his tools in with may have been why the police picked on him.

A witness to the police assualt send this video to BLMM.

Michael was taken to Wimbledon police station.

Thanks to onlooker Janet Oliver for arranging for this video to be sent to BLMM and for her action in witnessing and holding to account the officers involved.

The officer at the centre of the violent arrest claims that Michael bit him, which the man denies.

Witnesses to the incident say that there was no sign of Michael biting and that he had no time to do so, between the initial conversation with the officer and being taken to the ground.

Janet Oliver commented: “The officer lied, the man never bit him.”

Lloyd concurs. “I didn’t see no biting,” he insists. “I told him not to resist and to give his name but the police just jumped on him and tried to handcuff him.”

violent arrest of Michael Wilson

This latest incident of police brutality follows the emergence of a video a few days ago of a teenager in Hertfordshire being stopped and assaulted by police.

deaths, news, US

NFAC says 5,000-strong militia formation headed to Louisville in show of force for Breonna Taylor

Latest – live feed from Courier Journal 25th July 2020:

https://www.facebook.com/courierjournal/videos/2630713190528289/

NFAC – the Not Fucking Around Coalition – which came to prominence after an armed march and rally at Stone Mountain Park, Georgia, on 4 July, says it will be marching in Louisville, Kentucky this Saturday (25th July) as part of the fight for justice for Breonna Taylor.

Breonna Taylor was murdered in her own home by Louisville police serving a so-called “no-knock” warrant in a raid supposedly looking for drugs.

No drugs were found but none of the officers have been charged with any wrongdoing.

Daily protests have taken place in the city since Breonna’s killing on 13 March.

Leader of the black militia, Grandmaster Jay, real name John Fitzgerald Johnson, says the militia will be forming up this Saturday 25th July in Louisville when the exercise their constitutional right to bear arms.

Attendees have been instructed to dress in “black boots, black button down shirts, black mask, shotgun, semi-automatic or rifle, pistols… thigh holsters or under your arm”.

The self-styled leader of the group said: “If you are not in that uniform, you won’t be in the formation.”

“No fake guns this time. I’m not playing with you all, I’m trying to keep you safe.”

NFAC throws down gauntlet to KKK terrorists

At the Stone Mountain gathering early this month, the NFAC threw down the gauntlet to white supremacist groups who had threatened to attack Black Lives Matter protesters.

The KKK terror group was “reformed” at the park in the early 20th century.

There was no confrontation at that time, but on Saturday there are noises indicating that far-right groups may mobilise to confront the NFAC.

Louisville’s mayor, Greg Fischer, says the city is ready “to make sure everybody is safe”.

NFAC meets with attorney general

In a surprising development, the NFAC leader is reported to have had a phone conversation with the attorney general in which he criticised the lack of action to date regarding the police who killed Breonna.

In a statement, shown in the second video below, Jay shares some more information:

“12 pm we are meeting at central high school – the school that the great Mohammed Ali came from.

“Show up at 12pm. Get everyone set in the stadium. Then we go see some people…

“Bring body armour”

“Bring body armour, if you have it, make sure you have plates. In this situation get your hands on some, get some level-three body armour…

Don’t bring a weapon you have never fired before…

“I have had some conversations with the attorney general of Louisville. The state does not want any trouble. I have been made privy to some information. They are not going to try and antagonise the NFAC.

“The people in Georgia told them they [the NFAC] don’t fuck around.. There’s going to be five times more of us than last time.”

As can be seen in the videos below, the NFAC has certainly captured the public imagination, with reports of people organising car pools for the formation.

Statement from Jay at 2:20 in the video below:

https://youtu.be/kGz1FdPn5T4

While nothing has happened to the cops who killed Breonna, the city police force has managed to rake in $3 million in overtime payments from local taxpayers for the policing of protests.

NFAC militia Louisville march for Breonna set to brush aside far-right