Black Lives Matter

Our organisation was founded because Black Lives Matter. We are appalled by the brutal death of George Floyd and reflect on the lack of progress on tackling institutional racism here in the UK. This speech by the late Bernie Grant in 1995 on the death of Brian Douglas is as relevant today as it was then. We are as fed up now as he was then.

May 1995, Brian Douglas, along with Stafford Solomon was stopped by two Constables in St Luke’s Avenue in Clapham.  During the incident Brian was struck in the head with an American-style long-handed baton.  Whilst in custody his injuries worsen.  14 hours after he was injured he was taken to hospital with a fractured skull and damage to his brain stem.  Brian Douglas died five days later.

Brian was struck to the top of his head in a manner that was contrary to the correct use of the battens that were recently introduced. The force of the blow to his head was the equivalent of being dropped 11 times his own height.

During the inquest, the jury returned a verdict of misadventure.  The Crown Prosecution Service claimed there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the officers involved.  PC Mark Tuffley and PC Paul Harrison were never disciplined for their actions.

Black Lives Matter.