[IMC-bristol] Fwd: Protest Against Custody Deaths

[Always Shariff]

--- John O <mojuk@mojuk.org.uk> wrote:
> Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2002 13:30:57 +0100
> To: Recipient List Suppressed:;
> From: John O <mojuk@mojuk.org.uk>
> Subject: Protest Against Custody Deaths
> 
> ==================
>      Miscarriages of JusticeUK (MOJUK)
>                Tele: 0121-554-6947  
>                mojuk@mojuk.org.uk
>             http://www.mojuk.org.uk
> ==================
> 
> Protest Against Custody Deaths
> 4th Annual Remembrance Procession
> Saturday 26 October 2002
> 
> Assemble, 1.00pm  Trafalgar Square
> Central London
> (nearest tube, Charing Cross)
> 
> Silent Procession along Whitehall followed by Noisy Protest at Downing
> Street!
> 
> All welcome - please wear black - bring your group's banner but no 
> placards please
> 
> Called by: United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC)
> 
>       In 1969 David Oluwale became the first black person to die in 
> police custody. That was over thirty years ago and hundreds of people 
> have died in custody since then. Many of these incidents have been 
> suspicious, yet none of the police officers involved have ever been 
> convicted. Even when unlawful killing verdicts are returned at 
> inquests charges against the police never follow. We have lost 
> confidence in the ability of the system to deliver real justice.
> 
>       The United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC) has been set up to 
> challenge this system and stop the killings of black and white people 
> in custody. It is a coalition of families and friends of those that 
> have died in the custody of police and prison officers as well as 
> those who are killed in  secure psychiatric hospitals. Together we 
> are building a network for collective action. The manner of deaths of 
> our relatives have been brutal -
> CS gas, long handled batons, restraining belts and guns are just some 
> of the methods by which our brothers and sisters have been killed. 
> These institutionalised and often racist killings are an affront to a 
> society that seeks to be a civilised democracy. These deaths 
> represent unacceptable breeches of human rights and must stop. The 
> UFFC's aims and objectives are  to ensure that such basic human 
> rights be upheld and stop deaths within custody. It is to ensure that 
> when deaths do occur, that the whole truth as to how they were 
> killed, by whom and why emerges. The custodial institutions must be 
> made accountable to the communities that they serve and criminal 
> charges brought against the officers and staff that are responsible.
> 
>      UFFC was formed in early 1997 since then our consistent 
> challenges of the Police Complaints Authority, the Crown Prosecution 
> Service and the government has made an impact and changes have been 
> promised - but it is far from enough. Nothing less than the 
> prosecution of the killers of our family members will do. On a number 
> of occasions we have asked the Government to hold an inquiry into 
> these deaths but they have refused. We can never forget those we have 
> lost - and we WILL NOT allow the government to do so. On the last 
> weekend of October every year, we will hold a remembrance procession 
> from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street, until the politicians 
> finally act to prevent further deaths and more families suffering the 
> grief we carry every day.
> 
> Our demands:
> An independent public inquiry into deaths in custody.
> All deaths in custody should be independently investigated.
> The Police Complaints Authority be replaced by a body that is 
> genuinely independent of the police.
> Prison deaths should not be investigated by the Prison Service.
> Officers involved in custody deaths be suspended until investigations 
> are completed.
> Prosecutions of officers should automatically follow unlawful 
> killing' verdicts at inquests.
> Officers responsible for deaths should face criminal charges, even if
> retired.
> The police are must be accountable to the communities that they serve.
> Legal Aid and full disclosure of information be made to the relatives 
> of the victims.
> 
> Inquiries, further information:
> United Families & Friends Campaign on 07770 432439
> IRR News Service <editor@irr.org.uk>
> 
> +++++++++++++++
> International Day of Protest - October 22
> 
> Vigil Against Deaths in Custody
> 5.00pm to 8.00pm
> US Embassy
> Grovsner Sq
> London
> (nearest tube Bond Street)
> Called by:
> United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC)
> In solidairity with our brothers and sisters in America and with all 
> grieving relatives and friends worldwide who have lost loved ones in 
> state custody.
> 
> 
> Every year on October 22, relatives and friends of people who have 
> died in custody in the United States demonstrate in New York. 
> Following a meeting with them in 2001, it was agreed to make October 
> 22 an International Day of Protest Against Deaths in Custody.
> 
> The United Families and Friends Campaign is a coalition of the 
> families of people who have died in custody. It is supported by 
> INQUEST, Newham Monitoring Project and by the family campaigns of the 
> following: Christopher Alder, Jimmy Ashley, Rocky Bennett, Orville 
> Blackwood, Alphonso Coley, David Davies, Brian Douglas, Wayne 
> Douglas, Joy Gardner, James Grafton, Glenn Howard, Paul Jemmott, 
> Shiji Lapite, Alton Manning, Leon Patterson, Kenneth Severin, 
> lbrahima Sey, Aseta Simms, Harry Stanley, Roger Sylvester and by many 
> other families from across the country who have lost loved ones in 
> police custody, in prison or in psychiatric hospitals.
> 
> 
> Inquiries, further information:
> United Families & Friends Campaign on 07770 432439
> IRR News Service <editor@irr.org.uk>


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