Cherry Groce was shot in her home by police in 1985 in front of her children.
The shooting sparked the Brixton riots and to this day no one has been held accountable for what happened to her.
Cherry Groce
Cherry was left paralysed from the waist down and despite being given a life expectancy of 10 years by her doctors, she managed to live for another 26 years.
Independent reports indicate that the events of 1985 were a significant contributory factor in her death in 2011.
An inquest into her death is finally being held in June 2014, but the family has been denied legal aid. Without it they can’t afford a lawyer to represent them at the inquest and cross examine the police.
Her son Lee, said: “Without legal aid we will be financially excluded from participating, which means we are not able to adequately and effectively take part in such a complex case and it is unfair to expect us to do so whilst the other three interested parties are being publicly funded!”
“Following the request of a revealing report we have received an apology from the police which comes 28 years after the shooting (and is still yet to be made in public).”
The family have set up a petition to Chris Grayling MP, the Secretary of State for Justice calling for them to be given legal aid.
Stonewall raised a record-breaking £395,000 at its annual Equality Dinner, sponsored by Aviva.
Money raised from the night will support Stonewall’s education work and help them tackle homophobia wherever it exists.
The night marked Stonewall’s 25th anniversary, with speeches from presenter, broadcaster and writer Sue Perkins and journalist and Stonewall founder, Matthew Parris. Both emphasised that while there was much to celebrate, there was still much to do.
The Dinner saw the launch of Stonewall’s No Bystanders campaign, with a 60 second film. The hard-hitting and powerful film demonstrates that, unchecked, the abusive language children learn in the playground stays with them into adulthood. The film is intended to encourages people – including gay people – to check their own language, and pledge not to be a bystander whenever they hear it from others.
Sir Ian McKellen
Stonewall co-founder Sir Ian McKellen, who also lends his voice to the film, said:“Abuse ruins people’s lives. We all have a responsibility to take a stand and put a stop to it. By making sure that bullying is reported and prejudice is challenged, we can help ensure that every person in Britain lives free from fear of persecution and violence.”
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Acting Chief Executive said:‘This powerful film starkly shows how easily prejudice and bullying can escalate from playground teasing to grown-up violence. No one can afford to be a bystander to this bullying and that is why we are calling on people to make the pledge: hear it, stop it.”
Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats free Sunday parking campaign has gained enough support for a full council debate to take place on the proposal.
To date, over 1,250 people have signed the petition calling for council managed car parks and on street parking charges to be scrapped across Brighton and Hove on Sundays.
The debate will take place at the full council meeting to be held at 4.30pm on Thursday, March 27 at Hove Town Hall. To read the papers, CLICK HERE:
Jeremy Gale
Central Hove Liberal Democrat, Jeremy Gale who has spearheaded the campaign, said: “It is clear that residents and visitors are being penalised by the Green administration for wanting to use and park their car. This is highlighted by the fact that last year the Council raised an obscene £16.25 million through parking revenues and fines, the highest anywhere outside of London.
“Scrapping Sunday parking charges will encourage people to visit Brighton & Hove and spend their money in the shops and with retailers across our city, helping our local economy to prosper.
“Not only do our plans help businesses – they will save residents money as well allowing them to travel across the city, visiting friends or family, safe in the knowledge that they will not be charged for on street parking.
‘That said, I urge councillors from across the chamber to fully engage in the debate the signatures of the petition have triggered.”
Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove and Portslade accompanied Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith on his visit to the Job Centre in Boundary Road, Hove yesterday.
Iain Duncan Smith and Mike Weatherley, MP
The Work and Pensions Secretary thanked staff for their efforts in helping get local people back to work. Latest figures show the jobless total in Hove and Portslade is down by 26% since the government came to power in 2010.
He spoke with the Job Centre’s team led by Grahame Widdowson and Tim Smith, who told the Secretary of State of their success in tackling youth unemployment in the area.
Tim said:‘The reduction in the 18-24 jobseekers claimant count has been a great success story and is now below the low levels reached prior to the recession”.
Duncan-Smith said: “The reduction of 26% in unemployment in Hove and Portslade shows that our economic plan is working. Our reforms to welfare make sure that it will always pay to work.”
Mike Weatherley added:‘This government has taken the tough decisions needed to get the economy back on track. This is clear when you consider that unemployment is down in Hove by over a quarter since the election and the fantastic success in Hove of reducing the youth claimant count.”
Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh sends message of support to UN Anti-Racism Day event in London.
Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh, who starred as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, said:“I’m there in spirit in this celebration of multiculturalism and diversity and our condemnation of racism and racist violence all over the world. It seems to me governments are getting very very canny at making people at the bottom of the pile turn against each other instead of having our anger diverted to the top of the pile where it should be. So let’s all stand together today shoulder to shoulder and stand up to racism.”
The event is part of an international day of action. Demonstrations will be taking place across the globe in: Athens, Barcelona, Cardiff, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Madrid, Melbourne, New York, Paris, Warsaw and Sao Paulo.
A diverse range of communities, including Roma, Romanian and Bulgarian representatives, trade unions and politicians, will gather together for todays Stand up to Racism and Fascism demonstration.
The event will begin with short speeches opposite Parliament, followed by a lively and diverse procession including Congolese drummers, Olympic Opening Ceremony Pandemonium drummers, and Samba bands. Diane Abbott MP and others with be delivering letters to Downing Street during the procession and the event will end with speakers and poetry in Trafalgar Square.
Diane Abbott MP
Diane Abbott MP, said: “The politics of immigration in Britain has become increasingly ugly as parties like UKIP and the BNP attempt to stoke up fear and hatred. Far from falling into the political trap of pitting community against community it is time that the voices of the majority of people in this country who recognise the huge contribution migrants have made throughout history are heard. That’s why this year’s UN International Anti-Racism day takes on increasing importance – It will provide the opportunity for all those who oppose the politics of hate and division to stand up against the ‘Farageation’ of our country.”
11.00 am: Assemble Old Palace Yard, opposite Parliament
11.15 am: Photo and press opportunity
11.30 am – 12.00pm: Short rally at Old Palace Yard
12.00 pm: Procession to Trafalgar Square
12.15pm: Delivery of letters to Downing Street
12.30pm: Continue procession
1.00 – 4.00pm: Rally at Trafalgar Square
Speakers at Trafalgar Square will include:
Diane Abbott MP, Claude Moraes MEP, Jean Lambert MEP, Mohammad Taj TUC President, Christine Blower NUT General Secretary, Gloria Mills UNISON National Secretary Equalities, Zita Holbourne PCS NEC / Black Activists Rising Against Cuts, George the Poet, Ghetts, Jerry Dammers, Ava Vidal Comedian, Weyman Bennett and Sabby Dhalu Joint National Secretaries, Unite Against Fascism, Maz Saleem Daughter of Mohammed Saleem, Natalie Bennett Green Party Leader, Lutfur Rahman Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Grattan Puxon 8th April Movement, Ladislav Balaz Europe Roma, Farooq Murad Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain, Edie Friedman Executive Director, Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah UK Black Pride, Bruce Kent VP Pax Christi, Gerry Gable Editor Searchlight, Roger Casale New Europeans, Max Levitas Cable Street Veteran, Tommy Tomescu Alliance Against Romanians and Bulgarians Discrimination, Maurice Wren Chief Executive – Refugee Council, Glyn Ford UAF European Officer, Lindsey German Convenor, Stop the War Coalition, Peoples Assembly Against Austerity Representative
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Acting Chief Executive said: ‘This powerful film starkly shows how easily prejudice and bullying can escalate from playground teasing to grown-up violence. No one can afford to be a bystander to this bullying and that is why we are calling on people to make the pledge: hear it, stop it.”
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