It is customary at this time of the year that we remember the martyrs of the New Cross Massacre, January 18th 1981:

Patrick Cummings, 21 September 1964 – 18 January 1981
Andrew Gooding,18 February 1966 – 18 January 1981
Peter Campbell, 23 February 1962 – 18 January 1981
Gerry Paul Francis, 21 August 1963 – 18 January 1981
Steve Collins, 2 May 1963 – 18 January 1981
Patricia Johnson, 16 May 1965 – 18 January 1981
Rosaline Henry, 23 September 1964 – 18 January 1981
Lloyd Hall, 28 November 1960 – 18 January 1981
Humphrey Geoffrey Brown, 4 July 1962 – 18 January 1981
Owen Thompson, 11 September 1964 – 18 January 1981
Yvonne Ruddock, 17 January 1965 – 24 January 1981
Glenton Powell, 18 January 1966 – 25 January 1981
Paul Ruddock, 19 November 1958 – 9 February 1981
Anthony Berbeck, 17 August 1962 – 9 July 1983

To commemorate the 43rd anniversary a memorial service is due to take place on Thursday 18 January 2024 from 10.30am, at St Andrew’s Church in Brockley. A livestream will be available on the day. For more information, or to register your interest, please contact civicevents@lewisham.gov.uk.

For many the massacre remains an unsoved crime, even though there exists differences among famillies and survivors about whether it was a racist attack or not. (1) Neverhteless, Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka exhorted us while speaking as Auntie Jean’s Afrikan Culture Market on January 14th, that even if we disagree strongly we need to be able to “stay in the same room.” (2)

However, there is rather more consensus that the state and the police response reaked of racism thwarting a thorough investigation of the evidence. (3)

We are left with two ‘Open’ inquest verdicts, a mountain of pain and heartache and a slew on unanswered questions. (4) The families of the Hillsborough disaster that have campaigned for over thirty years through two inquests and a public inquiry and have achivied some damning verdicts in addition to compensation may be a useful case study. (5)

New Cross righly still evokes strong feelings across the community. The time is past due to channel this energy singularly to bring to account those responsible for the fire and collective trauma inflicted on Afrika UK either by indifference or design.

(1) Harry Howard, and Monica Greep (24/07/21) Families of 1981 New Cross fire victims stand by claims it was a ‘racist attack’ sparked by a driver who threw missile at house – but ex-Met Police detective insists there was ‘no evidence of firebomb’ in blaze that killed 13 people. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9818041/Families-1981-New-Cross-fire-victims-stand-claims-racist-attack.html; Nadine White (02/11/21) 1981 New Cross fire which killed 13 ‘wasn’t racist attack,’ survivor says amid new fears over prison confession. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-cross-fire-survivor-speaks-b1949219.html
(2) Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka (14/01/24) The NEW CROSS FIRE Foundation: 14 dead and nothing said – 43 years on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nQ8XaitDFY&t=10329s
(3) Sinai Fleary (19/01/23) White New Cross Fire survivor says police used racist language to describe victims. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2023/01/19/white-new-cross-fire-survivor-says-police-used-racist-language-to-describe-victims/; Frankie Adkins (18/01/21) ’13 dead, nothing said’ – remembering the New Cross Fire. https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19019348.13-dead-nothing-said—remembering-new-cross-tragedy/
(4) Howard, and Greep. Op. cit
(5) David Conn and Caroline Davies (06/12/23) Hillsborough disaster timeline: decades seeking justice and change. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/06/hillsborough-disaster-timeline-decades-seeking-justice-and-change

we ask the question

New Cross Massacre@43: Are we closer to the truth?

1) How did the New Cross Massacre affect you?
2) Is the Hillsborough campaign a useful case study?
3) Do we need a public inquiry?
4) What would it take to bring it about?

Our Special Guest:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.