Challenging State Violence Through Activism, Solidarity and Coalitions

Come and hear a panel of families, academics and activists from the US and UK as they discuss ways to connect their struggles​ and strategies in dismantling​ state-sanctioned violence. The discussion will be chaired by Dr Althea Legal-Miller, Lecturer in American History and Culture, Canterbury Christ Church University.

The panellists will be:

The Movement for Black Lives, U.S.

Nyle Fort, Activist and Scholar, Princeton University

Black Lives Matter, Nottingham UK

United Families and Friends Campaign, UK

Kadija George, cousin of Sheku Bayoh
Germaine Phillips, mother of Adrian McDonald
Marcia Rigg, sister of Sean Rigg and chair of United Families & Friends Campaign

Deaths that occur during police arrest or in custody have become the most visible flashpoint in relations between the state and many local communities in the US and the UK. This panel discussion will examine deaths in custody as a global justice concern, and explore how communities and families have responded to one of today’s most urgent activist issues.

This event is part of the Scholar Activism conference, taking place at the British Library, 22–23 June, in collaboration with the University of Sussex, the British Association for American Studies and the US Embassy London. Conference attendees will be able to attend the panel discussion as part of their conference registration fee.

Sponsored by the Eccles Centre for American Studies at the British Library.

Image: Black Lives Matter protesters in London's Oxford Street kneel and raise their hands, 8 July 2016. Photograph by Alisdare Hickson via Flickr

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