Below we reproduce a statement made by the Rotherham 12 Campaign following not guilty verdicts on 16 November.
We want to thank the jury for delivering resounding Not Guilty verdicts for all the defendants in this case.
The verdicts are a game changer, and they will have immediate and long term consequences for race relations in the region and nationally.
The jury, as representatives of the local population, have understood the impact of race and religious hatred fuelled by far right groups on the Asian Muslim residents of Rotherham. They have also understood the need for communities under siege to defend themselves when facing intolerable levels of racist threats and violence. That the racist killing of Mr Moshin Ahmed was a death too many.
Public confidence in South Yorkshire Police is at an all-time low. It can only be regained if there is a rigorous independent inquiry into their conduct and behaviour into this case and other well known cases. Unless the police change their mindset and treat people with respect nothing will change.
Finally we want to thank our excellent legal team, led by Michael Mansfield QC, and our supporters – black and white, men and women, young and old, local and national. Without them our life and pain would have been unbearable.