UFFC Rally 2020 : Memorial family event takes place online
image credit: Panther Manchanda
source: 4WardEverUK | published: 1 November 2020
In October 2020 the United Families and Friends Campaign
(UFFC) annual protest & rally moved online with a powerful video tribute that remembered the victims and heard from some of the families affected.
UFFC extended their thanks to Ken Fero of Migrant Media
for compiling the film. It will remain online permanently for viewing at any time.
The film includes moving and powerful statements from and short clips about several families including those of Christopher Alder, Kingsley Burrell, Gaia Pope, Justice for the 96, Darren Neville, Sheku Bayoh, Cherry Groce, Jack Susianta, Allan Marshall
and many others. It also included footage from past annual rallies, a musical tribute to 33 killings by the state, an appeal by the National Mikey Powell Memorial Family Fund, a moving tribute to Matthew James Leahy
and much more.
‘There were almost 700 views of the film within the first 24-hours of its release’
As a response to the killing of George Floyd in the United States, UFFC saw unprecedented donations from the public towards its work, and is now poised to consult families nationally, reaffirm its membership, announce its next annual general meeting and strategic plan. Further updates to follow in 2021.
The UFFC looks forward to 2021 when it is hoped they will once again take their protest to the heart of government in central London. Keep informed here >
A number of significant developments preceded this years event:
(not listed in order of date)
The National Memorial Family Fund
The National Memorial Family Fund delivered its very first grant funding round in September 2020 and awarded over £8,000 to 19 families from across the UK affected by state deaths. Grants were for campaign resources, respite, counselling, publications and small business start-up support costs. The second grant round is to be announced shortly.
Ultraviolence: the new film about deaths in police custody
Two decades ago the police tried to silence Ken Fero’s fearless documentary Injustice. Twenty years later, his follow-up is filled with even more pain and outrage. Ultraviolence was launched at the BFI Film Festival in October 2020. Producers Migrant Media said; “The silence over the police killings of Black people is now broken. Since 1969, over two thousand people have died at the hands of the police in the UK. Shootings, chokeholds, batons, gassing, suffocation, restraint and brutal beatings are some of the methods used.”
1Extra Talks (BBC UK Sounds)
This programme was aired shortly before the 2020 memorial. Reece Parkinson and Shahlaa Tahira explore how we might change the police in the UK. Features several families, campaign and reform groups speaking about the controversy of police killings and custody deaths.
Families ‘appalled’ as new law grants officers anonymity
Families of people who have died in police custody have expressed serious concerns about a new policy which gives anonymity to the officers involved. Campaign groups and relatives say it will now be even harder to hold police accountable under the ramped up policy, which came into force in July 2020. Read the article here >
We are pleased to announce that The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded £19,984 in grant funding to the NMPMFF to further the commitments from our Development Plans.
Over the last 2+ years the National Mikey Powell Memorial Family Fund (NMPMFF) has lost 80+ (60%) of regular monthly donors, and our grant and reserves are almost depleted.
As part of Unjust Deaths, INQUEST have brought together a group of bereaved people, engaged artists, campaigners, journalists and others to form a Memorialisation Working Group.
The Law Society has called on the Government to invest more money in civil legal aid to ensure greater access for all. More than 42 million people lack access to legal aid.
The chair of England's first public inquiry into mental health deaths, Baroness Lampard, has vowed to "seek out the truth" - despite difficulties getting documents from the NHS.
Over the last 2+ years the NMPMFF has lost approximately 116 of our regular monthly donors leaving just 63; and recently saw the end of core funding for two critical staff.
