How stop and search in the UK is failing black people – video explainer – The Guardian

‘There has been renewed criticism over stop and search in the UK after research found that BAME people are 54% more likely to be fined under coronavirus rules than white people. The subsequent death of George Floyd in the US and the support for the Black Lives Matter movement has brought more scrutiny to the disproportionality.’

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The Guardian, 7th July 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Grenfell Tower inquiry: Fire ‘inextricably linked with race’ – BBC News

‘The Grenfell Tower fire inquiry “must not ignore” the impact of race and poverty on the disaster, a lawyer representing survivors has said.’

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BBC News, 7th July 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Misconduct panel’s decision to impose a final written warning for racist remarks quashed by the High Court – UK Police Law Blog

‘The Chief Constable of West Midlands Police has successfully challenged a misconduct hearing panel’s decision to impose a Final Written Warning (FWW), after an officer made racist remarks about a fellow officer: R (Chief Constable of West Midlands Police) v Panel Chair, Police Misconduct Panel [2020] EWHC 1400 (Admin). The decision confirms that the High Court will be prepared to intervene where panels fail to follow the College of Policing’s Guidance on Outcomes, and that misconduct involving discrimination will be treated especially seriously.’

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UK Police Law Blog, 3rd July 2020

Source: ukpolicelawblog.com

Employment law: Dealing with race discrimination complaints following the Black Lives Matter movement – Parklane Plowden Chambers

‘The recent tragic death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has highlighted the need to tackle race discrimination in the workplace. Many businesses both in the UK and worldwide have made public statements reinforcing their commitment to equality and the BLM movement. Just as the #MeToo movement raised awareness of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, recent events should be the catalyst for a renewed emphasis on preventing and tackling race discrimination and ensuring that BAME employees are supported in the workplace.’

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Parklane Plowden Chambers, 19th June 2020

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk

EP 117: Systemic Racial Inequality – Windrush and the Bar – Martin Forde QC – Law Pod UK

‘In Episode 117, Emma-Louise Fenelon talks to Martin Forde QC on systemic racial inequality relating to Windrush, immigration history and at the Bar.’

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Law Pod UK, 25th June 2020

Source: audioboom.com

Windrush lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie: ‘The Home Office is treating people with contempt’ – The Guardian

Posted June 23rd, 2020 in citizenship, colonies, deportation, immigration, news, racism, solicitors by sally

‘The lawyer representing 200 victims of the Windrush scandal says systemic racism is at the root of the problem.’

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The Guardian, 22nd June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Your chambers aren’t colour blind, top QC tells barristers – Legal Futures

‘Barristers who believe their chambers are “colour-blind” and treat everyone the same “have a problem” and need to change their mindset, a high-profile black QC has said.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

UK police chiefs criticised for lack of action as race panel launched – The Guardian

Posted June 19th, 2020 in bias, equality, news, police, proportionality, race discrimination, racism by sally

‘An attempt by police chiefs to grapple with racism claims by launching a panel to recommend action has been criticised by victims’ representatives and met with scepticism from within their own ranks.’

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The Guardian, 18th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Racism and the Rule of Law – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted June 19th, 2020 in equality, human rights, news, police, race discrimination, racism, rule of law by sally

‘The Black Lives Matter movement illuminates an incontrovertible chasm in the application of the rule of law in liberal democracy. The basic premise of the rule of law, which in Joseph Raz’s conception is that it should be capable of guiding behaviour, includes the necessary restriction on crime-preventing agencies from perverting the law. A society in which those tasked with upholding and applying the law – under the powers of stop-and-search and arrest – are instead themselves regular perpetrators of racist discrimination and violence, is one in which the rule of law is at best a randomised hope that is more or less likely to be realised depending on the race of the citizen in question.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, June 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Where are my black sisters? The intersection of religion, race and gender in the AAP legal community – Garden Court North Chambers

‘I am a hijabi (head-scarf wearing Muslim) Palestinian-British lawyer who has worked in the progressive Inquests/Actions Against the Police (AAP) field for the past 7 years. I started out as a paralegal, became a solicitor and am now a pupil barrister. I have met, or know of, many of the lawyers whose talent and (often unpaid) hard work props up this niche but vital corner of the legal system. Working as an AAP lawyer is beyond rewarding and the people you get to meet, clients and colleagues, are inspiring. As a hijabi AAP lawyer, this area can also be isolating and unwelcoming at times.’

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Garden Court North Chambers, 15th June 2020

Source: gcnchambers.co.uk

Man sues Met police over injuries suffered in alleged racist arrest – The Guardian

Posted June 16th, 2020 in complaints, London, news, police, racism, stop and search, wrongful arrest by sally

‘A man who suffered a broken wrist and damage to his arm and shoulder after he was detained outside his home in what he believes was a wrongful racist arrest is suing the Metropolitan police over his injuries.’

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The Guardian, 15th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Racism contributed to disproportionate UK BAME coronavirus deaths, inquiry finds – The Guardian

‘Racism and discrimination suffered by Britain’s black, Asian and minority ethnic people has contributed to the high death rates from Covid-19 in those communities, an official inquiry has found.’

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The Guardian, 14th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Youth justice: exposing a system that is failing our most vulnerable children – The Guardian

‘Children in the Dock was an investigation into the youth justice system in England and Wales that involved the Guardian’s Manchester team spending a month monitoring every case at Greater Manchester youth court. Among other things, they found that the proportion of BAME children in court had doubled in eight years, and revealed that youth cases now take 40% longer than in 2010.’

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The Guardian, 13th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Family of black man who died in UK police custody speak out – The Guardian

‘The family of a black man who died in police custody in Devon last month have said they still have no idea of the circumstances that led to his death and are demanding answers.’

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The Guardian, 12th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Racism campaigners call for police watchdog to be abolished – The Guardian

‘Black families in the UK whose loved ones have died in incidents involving the police have called for the abolition of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which investigates the police, and the immediate suspension of officers involved in deaths as part of a new plan to address systemic racism and unlawful killings.’

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The Guardian, 14th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

What It’s Like Being A Black Lawyer Working In The UK’s Criminal Justice System In 2020 – Elle Magazine

‘Abimbola Johnson is a Black criminal defence barrister, whose experience of the justice system in the UK brings recent events in the US even closer to home.’

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Elle Magazine, 5th June 2020

Source: www.elle.com

Protesting During a Pandemic: What Are Your Rights? – 3PB

‘The general rule is that everyone has the right to associate with others and to gather together for a common purpose. Article 11 of the ECHR safeguards our right to peaceful assembly and is one of the foundations of a democratic society. This means that the State cannot interfere with your right to join a peaceful assembly and protest, even if the protest is against the State itself, or simply because the protest might cause inconvenience or lead to heated debate and tension. Article 11 does not safeguard intentionally violent protests; the State can interfere where a protest turns violent.’

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3PB, 4th June 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

Courts ‘preparing to fast-track prosecutions for Black Lives Matter protesters’ – Daily Telegraph

‘British courts are preparing to fast-track prosecutions for the Black Lives Matter protests, as justice secretary Robert Buckland has told magistrates to model the process along the lines of the response to rioting in London in 2011, The Times reported.’

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Daily Telegraph, 12th June 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Universities Investigate Adverts On Channel 4 Show That ‘Dehumanised’ Traveller Community – Each Other

‘Three universities are investigating how their adverts appeared on a Channel 4 documentary accused of “dehumanising” the Traveller community.’

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Each Other, 11th June 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

There have been no successful prosecutions for deaths in British police custody since 1969 – here’s why – The Guardian

‘Black people account for 3% of the population, but 8% of deaths in custody. As a former chief prosecutor, I know this is only the end point of a system that disproportionately suspects, arrests, convicts and imprisons BAME people.’

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The Guardian, 11th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com