We publish below reflections on the political and media furore surrounding Sheffield’s Roma by long-time South Yorkshire activist. ‘The best recipe for riots is for somebody to stand up and warn of riots.’ (Professor Yaron Matras on Channel 4 News 27 November 2013) On 11 November David Blunkett gave an interview to Radio Sheffield. In
Theme: Health
Turtle doves, calling birds and all those Xmas carol birds … for the pot?!
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A.R.T. Kemasang examines the meaning behind a much-loved Christmas carol. It was in my 1950s pre-university years that I heard for the first time the full lyric of the famous Christmas carol. To me at the time (planning to major in English and, being an Anglophile) the idea of being given by one’s true love
The cuddlification of Black revolutionaries
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To erase the political bedrock of people’s beliefs from the telling of their history is to distort their life’s work. The rewriting of history and reputation to chime with what the white-media-middle-class is ‘comfortable’ with does not just apply to Nelson Mandela,[1] it has for some years been applied in this country to Black revolutionary
Call for end to CPS inaction
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Last week families and campaigners demanded an end to Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) inaction over deaths in custody cases. The demonstration was called by the United Families and Friends Campaign and Stop G4S because of procrastination about whether to charge those involved in the deaths of Azelle Rodney and Jimmy Mubenga. Damning unlawful killing verdicts were
Spotlight on racial violence: July – December 2013
A selection of attacks with a racial element and convictions over the last six months. A few weeks ago, 24-year-old Lee James was told he will serve at last eighteen years in prison for killing Iranian refugee Bijan Ebrahimi in Bristol. Mr Ebrahimi was harassed persistently by local residents prior to his death. He was
Vigil for Habib ‘Paps’ Ullah
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On Friday 20 December campaigners will hold a vigil in High Wycombe to mark the birthday of Habib Ullah who died in police custody in July 2008. Habib Ullah’s wife, mother, children and siblings will be joined at High Wycombe police station by families of others killed in police custody including that of Leon Briggs,
Justice4Paps candlelit vigil
A vigil in memory of Habib ‘Paps’ Ullah calling for a public inquiry into local policing. Friday 20 December 2013, 5-7.30pm High Wycombe police station, Buckinghamshire HP11 1BE RELATED LINKS Justice4Paps Facebook event page Download a flyer for the vigil
PAFRAS fundraiser
‘Clash of the Arts’, a fashion show fundraiser for Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (PAFRAS) Saturday 14 December 2013, 6.45pm until late Congreave Room, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP Including: Boutique, freelance & upcoming fashion designers Dance performances Live music performances Raffle & auction fundraising DJs & live music Refreshments RELATED LINKS Pafras
A celebratory offer from Race & Class
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Looking for a Christmas gift? This month, the IRR offers Catching History on the Wing for a discounted price, plus a free issue of Race & Class relating to the work of A. Sivanandan, in celebration of his ninetieth birthday. The IRR is offering for £10 (plus P&P) Catching History on the Wing, a collection
Hillsborough: the truth
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The latest broadcast of Race & Class radio is now available to download. On 28 November 2013, Avery Gordon interviewed Professor Phil Scraton for the latest broadcast of Race & Class radio. Phil Scraton, author of Hillsborough: The Truth, was a member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and the primary author of its ground-breaking report