Remembrance procession in London against deaths in custody

The AfroNews, 21 October 2011


A silent procession in memory of people who have died in custody will be held in London on 29th October 2011. The United Families and Friends Campaign, the organiser of the procession, is inviting all to join what will start as a silent procession along Whitehall followed by Noisy Protest at Downing Street.

The United Families and Friends Campaign is a coalition of families and friends of those who have died in the custody of police and prison officers as well as those who were killed in secure psychiatric hospitals. It includes the families of Roger Sylvester, Leon Patterson, Rocky Bennett, Alton Manning, Christopher Alder, Brian Douglas, Joy Gardner, Aseta Simms, Ricky Bishop, Paul Jemmott, Harry Stanley, Glenn Howard, Mikey Powell, Jason Mcpherson and Sean Rigg to name but a few. Together they are building a network for collective action to end deaths in custody.

The United Families and Friends Campaign believes that the failure of State officials to ensure the basic right to life is made worse by the failure of the State to ever prosecute those responsible for custody deaths.

The Campaign also believes that the failure to prosecute those responsible for deaths in custody sends the message that the State can act with impunity.

Deaths in police custody must be investigated by a body that is genuinely independent of the police, says the Campaign.

Prison deaths, the Campaign says, must be subject to a system of properly funded investigation that is completely independent of the Prison Service.

The Campaign calls for suspension of officers involved in custody deaths until investigations are completed.

The Campaign further calls for automatic prosecutions following ‘unlawful killing’ verdicts at inquests.

The other demands of the Campaign include making police forces accountable to the communities they serve; immediate Legal Aid and full disclosure of information to the relatives of the victims for investigations, inquests and subsequent prosecutions; making officers responsible for deaths face criminal charges, even if retired and placing of CCTV in the back of all police vehicles.

All are welcome to participate in the procession with their campaign’s or group’s banners.



ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE PROCESSION AGAINST DEATHS IN CUSTODY

Date: 29th October 2011

Time: 12:30 - 15:30

Assemble: South side of Nelsons Column. Trafalgar Square, London. WC2N 5DN

 http://uffc-campaigncentral.net/


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from the archives:


 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/10/467107.htmlhttp://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/10/467107.html

London: 12th UFFC Annual march against custody deaths and abuses

Indymedia UK, 30 October 2010


On 30th October 2010 families and friends marched from Trafalger Square to Downing Street to protest against custody deaths and abuses. This was the 12th annual protest organised by the United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC).


Audio Interviews conducted at the start of the demo - mp3 15M

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/media/2010/10//467108.mp3


Audio Speeches at Downing Street - mp3 57M

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/media/2010/10//467109.mp3


The march, which took up one side of the road, was not policed at all. At Downing Street the police refused to take the open letter to the Prime Minister, despite pleading from the protestors.

The protest was organised by The United Families & Friends Campaign -- 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.

 http://uffc-campaigncentral.net/

 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=151535878213986



Some of the campaigns which were represented at the protest:


Justice for Habib 'Paps' Ullah

 http://justice4paps.wordpress.com/

 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23916055987


Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign

 http://www.seanriggjusticeandchange.com/


Roger Sylvester Justice Campaign

 http://www.rsjc.org.uk/


JUSTICE for RICKY BISHOP - Murdered in Brixton Police Station in 2001

 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41965963816


Azelle Rodney Campaign for Justice

 http://azellerodney-campaigfojustice.moonfruit.com/


United Campaign Against Police Violence

 http://againstpoliceviolence.blogspot.com/


Jason McPherson

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384586.html



Previous Indymedia coverage includes:


Deaths in Custody

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/12/357852.html

Pictures and audio from demonstration against deaths in police custody

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/10/279501.html



- Homepage:  http://uffc-campaigncentral.net/


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