Thread by @TheresaIkoko

What’s the need for a UK #BlackLivesMatter movement? There isn’t any racism, institutional bias or oppression in the UK? Just bandwagonning? An excuse to make noise and go outdoors?

A thread.

#BlackLivesMatterUK

1. 1993 Stephen Lawrence (18) killed in an unprovoked racist attack. A case riddled with police failings, laziness, racism & corruption, that took 18 years 2 bring only 2/5 murderers 2 (barely) justice. The criminal justice system remains bias, racist & dangerous for black people

(I hate the term BAME but for word count purposes I’ll use it here.

BP = black people
WP = white people)

2. 2002-12 BAME ppl = 18% of deaths in police custody/as a result of contact with the police (INQUEST). Deaths of BP, where restraint/ force used r 2x greater than deaths of WP in custody (IRR). There has been 0 convictions (Guardian).

#BlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatterUK

2b. Azelle Rodney was shot (6 times) dead, in N. London, within 2 secs of police ramming his car. His body was left on the pavement 4 16 hrs. An inquiry concluded “no lawful justification” 4 killing Rodney. But, officer was cleared by jury

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

2c. Mark Duggan, unarmed-
shot & killed by police. Some reports say he was running away when shot. Some say police gave no warning. Official account by police was inconsistent. Police faced criticism 4 failure to cooperate w investigations

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

2d. Sean Rigg died in Brixton prison. Sean had mental health needs, was left unattended, his cries 4 help ignored & dismissed, officers delayed calling for medical help by 30 minutes+. Sean’s heart had stopped.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

2e. Christoper Alder lay dying on the floor of Hull’s Queen’s Road police station, while offers stood around him laughing and joking.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

2f. Sheku Bayoh was killed during an arrest in Scotland. He was pinned down & mounted by officers. Post mortem concluded that Sheku was killed by asphyxiation. No one has been held responsible. His family are still searching for the truth.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

2g. Darren Cumberbatch cornered in a toilet. Tased & CS sprayed repeatedly. Witnesses say Darren was not aggressive/ threatening, but bewildered and confused. He was taken away. Not heard from again 4 65 hours. Died in hospital 7 days later

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

2h. Four days after Darren Cumberbatch’s death, in Hackney, 20 year old Rashan Charles was pronounced dead an hour after being pinned down and arrested by police. He died from asphyxiation.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

3. BP r less likely 2 hv equal & fair access 2 health services. More likely 2 b compulsorily detained. 29% more likely 2 b forcibly restrained, 50% more likely 2 b secluded. More likely 2 have police contact alongside mental health (IRR)

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

3b. Olaseni Lewis died after contact w police at MH hospital. Inquest jury:, “excessive force, pain compliance techniques and multiple mechanical restraints were disproportionate and unreasonable [and] contributed to the cause of death."

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

3c. Kingsley Burrell died while being detained by police in a mental health unit in Birmingham. Inquest concluded that prolonged restraint contributed to Mr Burrell’s death. Police were later cleared of lying under oath during the inquest.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

3d. Sarah Reed: died in mental health unit HMP H/way 2016. Lack of care & inconsistent reports. 2012 Sarah was horrifically attacked by PC James Kiddie, following false accusation of shoplifting. Sarah was failed by the justice & MH systems

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

4. In 2019/19 BP were stopped & searched almost 5x the rate of WP. BP were stopped & searched under section 60, which does not require officers 2 have suspicion in order 2 carry out a search, at 11x the rate of WP (stopwatch.org)

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

5. Black people make up 16% of police use of force cases in England and Wales, while only making up 3.3% of the general population of England and Wales (gov.uk)

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

6. Clear bias against young black men, in criminal justice system (Lammy report). Not helped by media representation of black men & lack of representation of BP in CJ staffing- only 6% of police and prison service staff and 7% of judiciary

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

6b. Caught on camera- Police Officer to Jack Chambers (days after local Darren Cumberbatch’s death): “you would be the first one I’d shoot if I had a gun, definitely”. Other officers laughed. Jack was the only black person in the property.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

6c. Young black people have the highest custody rate of any other group (13.7%). White offenders are most likely to be given a conditional discharge at sentencing (gov.uk).

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

6d. 2009-2017: 1 in 4 black teenagers convicted of homicide were handed the maximum sentence. Not one white teenager was sentenced to more than ten years. (The Independent)

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

6e. Black teenagers are more likely to be found guilty of murder vs white peers found guilty of manslaughter (a lesser charge). (The Independent).

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

6f. BP 4x more likely 2 b prosecuted 4 indictable offences than WP. BP more likely 2 b remanded in custody than WP. WP more likely 2 b released after parole board hearing. BP 3x+ more likely 2 b arrested than WP (gov.uk)

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

7. The education system, riddled with cultural bias and a lack of plurality of voices, continues to fail black children and students.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

7b. Black Caribbean students are excluded at a significantly higher rate than white children (Uni of Bham).

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

7c. Black students are still punished for their natural hair. Josiah Sharpe (2019) was sent home for a fade described as “extreme” and Chikayzea Flanders (2018) was told to cut his locs, to name a couple.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

7d. The core curriculum still doesn’t include much, if any, of Britain’s colonial history.

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

7e. Most UK university have only 0- 2 black professors, despite huge increases in staff numbers. Universities fail to address 1000s of racist incidents (EHCR).

#BlackLivesMatter  #BlackLivesMatterUK

(The above list of those killed by police or in custody, or impacted by the inequality and racism of the system is in no way extensive. My thoughts, prayers, solidarity and efforts are with the families of those mentioned and those not.)

(These examples of injustice and inequity are in no way complete)

And as always, happy to take correction and additions.

Lastly, in no way am I comparing the situation here w America. But, on this:
WP- mind yo’ business
BP- Some of you may need to consider why you have internalised gratitude for being killed *less*, rather than not at all. LOVE YOU ALL THO! fr

#BlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatterUK

Anthony Walker (18). Brutally murdered, by ice axe, in unprovoked racist attack . After only 2 mos❗️in prison killer’s sentence reduced, due 2 what judge described as “remarkable transformation”,

AnthonyWalkerFoundation.com: “to promote racial harmony...”

https://twitter.com/xs_pryce/status/1268128160236933120?s=21

https://twitter.com/XS_pryce/status/1268128160236933120

1969 David Oluwale drowned in River Aire, Leeds. Whistleblower revealed Mr Oluwale was victim of sustained physical & psych torture by senior police. Trial was a shambles & “whitewash”. Mr Oluwale was called: “filthy vagrant” by JUDGE!

#RemeberOluwale

https://twitter.com/sunflower_bro/status/1267892306050506752?s=21

https://twitter.com/sunflower_bro/status/1267892306050506752

#RememberOluwale cont...

Judge directed jury to find defendants not guilty of manslaughter & GBH. Guilty verdict given for 4 assaults. 2-3 year sentences given.

More:
- vimeo.com/201413927
- goodreads.com/book/show/2410…
- valleypressuk.com/book/71/rememb…

Thanks 4 all contributions, clarifications &questions

1. Not engaging w ppl who dont understand percentages/relativity vs frequencies/raw numbers (unless u *genuinely* dont)

2. Wonderful thing about Twitter, this thread doesnt stop u from doing ur own on we subject u prefer 🙃

#JusticeForShekuBayoh

5 years later, Sheku’s family still do not know how or why he did not leave the police station alive. Theo’s petition is to Scotland’s Fist Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, demanding answers:

change.org/p/police-scotl…

https://twitter.com/readingwithkt/status/1268075309036965888