An investigation has been launched after the death of 23-year-old Ayodeji Awogboro in the custody of the Metropolitan police on 11 May. According to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is conducting its own investigation into his death, police followed his car after he allegedly failed to stop at a red traffic light on
Geography: South-East England
Hillingdon fails to support asylum seeking children
A new report from the Children’s Commissioner for England has criticised the London Borough of Hillingdon for its treatment of unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC). The Commissioner’s organisation – 11 Million – found that Hillingdon failed to support children in their basic health and educational needs and that decisions were often made without taking into
Protest against Daily Express’ attacks on Muslims
Protestors gathered outside the London offices of the Daily Express today to demand an end to anti-Muslim articles. In recent years, the Daily Express newspaper has frequently published inflammatory articles on asylum seekers, migrants and Muslims. The newspaper regularly carries front page headlines such as ‘Christmas is banned; it offends Muslims’, ‘Now Muslims get their
Documentary film production workshops
A new film course is being offered for aspiring documentary-makers. Multi award-winning film-maker Ken Fero is leading a course in documentary film-making for people in Wood Green. It will teach the process of film making from initial idea through to pre-production, shooting and editing. A short documentary film will be made and screened in a
White man sentenced for murder
On 11 December, Peter Connolly was sentenced to life – with a minimum term of fifteen years in prison – for the murder of Christopher Alaneme, an 18-year-old who died after being stabbed in Sheerness, Kent on 21 April 2006. That night, Christopher, whose Nigerian family had moved from London to Kent because they felt
Traveller death marked by drama
Cwmni’r Frân Wen, a professional educational theatre company, has produced a new play about Johnny Delaney, who was murdered in 2003 on the outskirts of Ellesmere Port, when a gang of youths reacted towards his Irish accent and attacked him. The theatre project, a Theatre in Education Project (with follow-up workshop and a cross-curricular work
Rebels and trouble makers
A controversial exhibition of portraits of people, whose courage, bloody mindedness and instinct for rebellion, have enhanced London’s radical tradition, has opened at City Hall. To accompany artist Jolie Goodman’s four portraits – of Walter Wolfgang, Camilla Batmanghelidjh, Helen John and Brian Haw – are specially-commissioned photos from the East London Photographers Group. Doreen Lawrence,
IRR News develops new ‘learning the lessons’ workshops
Practical workshops, learning from past struggles against racism, are being organised by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) for newly arrived refugee/asylum seeker and migrant groups. Because of the success of the conference and a series of seminars held in 2006 and demand from new user groups, the IRR has received funding to run a
Against the great defeat of the world
John Berger, internationally recognised as one of the most influential writers of the last fifty years, is appearing in London next week to give a rare and exclusive reading from his new novel: From A to X. The event, hosted by Race & Class, is taking place on Thursday 4 October at the New Theatre,
Gatwick No Border Camp
Next week, campaigners will begin three days of action and campaigning at a protest camp near Brook House, a new removal centre for asylum seekers at Gatwick airport. Organisers say: ‘The camp, the first of its kind in the UK, will be an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences, with numerous workshops, panels and other