We conclude our current discussion highlighting the death in custody cases in the UK, exploring their impact and legacy within the context of the #Black Lives Matter protests. There are now efforts to finally screen (it was previously banned) Migrant Media’s award winning 2001 documentary Injustice on British TV. (https://www.change.org/p/channel-4-channel-4-screen-injustice-film-about-black-deaths-in-uk-police-custody?recruiter=7027740&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_petition&recruited_by_id=144efca0-c572-012f-31cc-4040496dcccb). The film makers are also crowdfunding for the Injustice follow-up, UV (https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/injustice—uv-1).
We have also highlighted some of the community efforts to develop resources to support families such as United Friends and Families Campaign (https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/united-families-friends-campaign) ; and the National Memorial Family Fund (https://www.memorialfamilyfund.org.uk/donations). Rapper Stormzy has also pledged £10 million over ten years. As it stands, Black Lives Matter UK (BLMUK) have raised over £1 million in the month of June alone and have outlined how they will allocate the funds:
– Work towards making change at the level of law.
– Developing and distributing educational resources.
– Developing and delivering healing practices in black communities.
– Developing and delivering training, police monitoring and strategies for the abolition of police. Working alongside existing anti-racist organisations to strengthen the wider movement across the UK.
– Supporting the United Family & Friends Campaign (UFFC) in accessing justice for friends and loved ones killed at the hands of British police.
– Providing emergency relief to black communities bearing the brunt of the Coronavirus crisis. (1)
These aims will require a degree of institutional coherence and it remains to be seen how this will be developed.
(1) Black Lives Matter UK (02/06/20) UKBLM FUND. https://uk.gofundme.com/f/ukblm-fund
We ask the question:
Have we done Enough to Support Death in Police Custody Families? Part 3
1) Should the current protests be framed in a reparations context?
2) Do you agree with BLM UK’s plans for the funds raised?
3) What are the key factors hindering community building?
4) What is the role of Pan-Afrikanism in our organising?