The Family seek answers and justice for this tragic death in police custody.... |
Sean’s sudden and untimely death has come as a shock to the family. On 21st Aug ‘08 he was arrested and restrained by Brixton police - he died very shortly after...Why?
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Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Press: Patrick Ward – 07894497705 / office@againstpoliceviolence.org.uk
21 August 2010:
SEAN RIGG 1968-2008
Second Year Memorial
Second Year Memorial Vigil Outside Brixton Police Station 5pm
Followed by a Public Meeting 6-8.30pm
The Karibu Education Centre, 7 Gresham Road, Brixton, London SW9 7PH.
(Directly opposite Brixton Police Station on Gresham Road)
On 21 August 2008, our brother Sean Rigg, was arrested by police, “restrained” and transported to Brixton police station in the back of a van. He was removed from the van in a collapsed state and died a short while after whilst in the station yard. He never entered the custody suite door.
The events leading to his death raise suspicion and concern. Although a mental health service user, Sean was fit and healthy with no illicit drugs or alcohol found in his body at the time of his death. The Independent Police Complaints Commission's (IPCC) report completed in February 2010 is, in the family’s opinion, “Heavily biased in favour of the police”, despite the obvious suspicious circumstances surrounding Sean’s death. A catalogue of errors in the investigation has caused the family to lose faith in the British judicial process following a DEATH IN CUSTODY.
For two years the family have vigorously enquired and campaigned in an attempt to find out the truth of what really happened on the night. Currently the family’s legal team are preparing for the inquest, scheduled for 2012.
Justice and Change will be hosting an open floor discussion where they and other families will talk about their experiences of injustice. The family campaigns include Christopher Alder, Brian Douglas, Roger Sylvester, Ian Tomlinson, Blair Peachand Jean Charles de Menezes amongst others, who have lost loved one’s in police custody – all have lost faith in the British Judicial System. What has really changed in the last 30 years?
Come listen and discuss your views about the controversial topic of DEATHS IN CUSTODY and the lack of accountability.
Other supportive death in custody campaign organisations, such as INQUEST, Newham Monitoring Project (NMP), Black Mental Health UK (BMH UK) and United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV), will speak about the current issues and explore what can be done do to bring about awareness and change.
Family solicitor Anna Mazzola said: “It is now two years since Sean died and his family are no closer to getting answers to fundamental questions such as: why didn’t the police and NHS Trust respond to pleas for help from Sean’s mental health hostel? What happened to Sean in those crucial minutes between him being arrested and arriving in a collapsed state at Brixton police station? Why haven’t they been able to access key CCTV footage from the night? It is devastating for the family that they should have to wait until 2012 for a full inquest and deeply worrying that until that time the policies and failings which led to Sean’s death will remain unremedied.”
Deborah Coles of Inquest said: “Sean’s family’s disquiet about the lack of impartiality and independence of the investigation process and the serious delay in holding an inquest have once again resulted in a lack of confidence in the investigation mechanisms following deaths involving the police. The recent decision not to prosecute anyone in relation to the death of Ian Tomlinson follows a litany of cases where the police have not been held to account for unlawful use of force and further anger and mistrust about how the state responds to such deaths.
“Sean Rigg was another black man who has died after being restrained by police officers. INQUEST’s monitoring of deaths in custody/following police contact has highlighted how a disproportionate number of people from black and minority ethnic communities have died following the use of force. INQUEST will continue to work with his family and raise the serious issues his death raises at a parliamentary and policy level. There must be non means tested public funding for the family to be represented at the inquest in the same way that police lawyers will be paid for out of the public purse and the inquest must be held as promptly as possible given the serious family and public interest in scrutinising the events leading to the tragic death of a vulnerable man.”
Patrick Ward of United Campaign Against Police Violence, said:“The treatment of the family of Sean Rigg smacks of a justice system chasing its tail to cover up a scandal. Now the family are told to wait for the inquest in 2012, when no doubt the judicial system will seek other ways of proving its 'innocence'. We must unite at events like this to coordinate our continued campaign for justice for all those who have died at the hands of those who claim to protect us.”
The Campaign will also be hosting a private screening of the film “SUS” - a true and chilling account of one man's brush with the police in 1979 - written by Barrie Keefe who also wrote “The Long Good Friday”. Unfortunately due to limited seating, this will be by invitation only. However, SUS will be out on DVD 6 September. See the film’s website for upcoming screenings www.susthemovie.com.
Family Solicitor: Anna Mazzola, Hickman and Rose - amazzola@hickmanandrose.co.uk
Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Press: Patrick Ward – 07894497705 / office@againstpoliceviolence.org.uk
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SUS SCREENING IN MEMORY OF SEAN RIGG
VICTIM OF POLICE BRUTALITY
On Saturday 21st August, The Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign, will come together to commemorate the life of Sean Rigg on the 2nd anniversary of his death. After a vigil and town meeting in Brixton, the campaign will host a special screening of SUS. The film’s director, Robert Heath, and lead actor, Clint Dyer, will attend the screening for a discussion with members of other prominent campaigns against police violence.
Sean died in 2008 whilst in custody at Brixton police station, London. The gifted musician was a charismatic, ambitious and healthy member of the Brixton community; where he worked as a volunteer at the Franz Fanon Community Centre.
Sean’s untimely death, aged forty, has aroused suspicion amongst the rapper’s friends and family. On the day of his death Sean was arrested on suspicion of public order offenses, the likely result of a missed dose of medication for his schizophrenia.
Within 90 minutes of his arrest Sean was dead.
At 7:40pm Sean was bundled into a police van by MET officers.
At 8:03pm Sean was left in a cage in the police yard. Where he passed in and out of consciousness and failed to stand.
By 8:20pm Sean had stopped breathing.
At 9:24pm Sean was declared dead by hospital staff
Following an IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) inquiry, CCTV footage has been removed from inside the station but not from the police yard which would show a clear view of the cage area where Sean was taken ill.
Sean’s family have voiced concerns about unexplained injuries to Sean’s body.
The harrowing real life events surrounding Sean Rigg’s death are a startling reminder of events in SUS. The film, out on DVD from September 6th, was written by acclaimed screenwriter Barrie Keefe (The Long Good Friday) to explore the effects of the 1970s Stop and Search laws, which were disproportionately applied to minorities.
EVENT DETAILS FOR SATURDAY 21ST AUGUST
Vigil outside Brixton Police Station in remembrance of Sean Rigg, 5pm sharp.
Public Meeting across from Police Station at The Karibu Education Centre, 7 Gresham Rd, Brixton, London SW9 7PH, 6-8pm. Followed by a private screening of SUS.
ABOUT SUS
 DVD RELEASE DATE: 6th September
DIRECTED BY: Robert Heath
STARRING: Clint Dyer, Ralph Brown, Rafe Spall
GENRE: Drama
RUNNING TIME: 91 mins approx CERTIFICATE: 15
RRP: £14.99
SPECIAL FEATURES: Theatrical Trailer, Deleted Scene, Behind The Scenes: The Making of SUS, Short Film: Ice Cool Reception, Directed by Robert Heath, Starring Clint Dyer and Katy Cavanagh
CAT NO: DIG3821
BARCODE: 5034741382113
RELEASED BY: 4 Digital Media, Independent Film Company
PRE-ORDER AND SAVE: Amazon.co.uk or Play.com
AVAILABLE IN HMV STORES 6 SEPT
The film is as compelling as its stage counterpart. Set on election Night 1979: where Margaret Thatcher is on the cusp of power, SUS is the story of a young black man is held on suspicion of murdering his pregnant wife.
Officers Karn and Wilby, racist to the core and high on the prospect of a Conservative Party victory, try to lure the suspect into a quick confession. But the night has just begun...
Callous humiliation gives way to a barrage of sinister violence. As morning approaches the police desperately resort to physical and mental torture, all leading to a devastating conclusion.
For further information please contact Alex Beedell at Organic Marketing:
Alexandra.Beedell@Organic-Marketing.co.uk / 0203 372 0981
 
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UNITED CAMPAIGN AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE
office@againstpoliceviolence.org.uk - www.againstpoliceviolence.org.uk
Press: Patrick Ward 07894 49 7705
PRESS RELEASE - For immediate release
WHO KILLED IAN TOMLINSON?
PUT POLICE IN THE DOCK
United Campaign Against Police Violence urges Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute officer involved
The United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV) welcomes the step forward in the investigation into the death of newspaper vendor Ian Tomlinson. As the Independent Police Complaints Commission passes its files on the investigation into the police officer seen to strike Ian Tomlinson to the Crown Prosecution Service, we hope that this case will finally come to court and that justice is done.
If the officer is charged and found guilty of Ian's death it would be the first time an officer has ever been charged with manslaughter.
Millions have now seen the footage obtained by citizen journalists of Ian Tomlinson being struck from behind by the police officer. We can only assume that the 1,200 hours of footage obtained by the IPCC from CCTV cameras in the area will give a far more detailed account of the event.
UCAPV has been part of the movement calling for justice for Ian Tomlinson, and also for the many others who have died in police custody. We recognise the efforts of the thousands who have campaigned over the death of Ian Tomlinson, and we will campaign further to ensure that there will be a thorough and fair criminal investigation into Ian's death, but also the deaths of others who have died in police custody – numbering over 1,000 since 1969, but as yet without any verdicts of murder or manslaughter against any police officer.
As we await the trial date for the officer in question, UCAPV is playing a key role in organising a memorial event for Sean Rigg, who died at Brixton Police Station in August 2008. This will take place on 21 August, more details to follow.
NOTES TO EDITORS
United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV) is a coalition of protest groups, justice campaigns, political parties, civil rights groups and trade unions around the slogans: Remember Ian Tomlinson - no more deaths in police custody; Freedom to protest - defend civil liberties.
UCAPV supporters include the UCU and PCS unions, London Green Party, Labour Representation Committee, Socialist Workers Party, G20 Meltdown, Stop the War Coalition, Legal Defence and Monitoring Group, Government of the Dead, London Transport Region RMT, the Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign, Essex Students' Union, Sussex Students' Union, and others.
Representatives of the campaign are available for interview.
UNITED CAMPAIGN AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE
office@againstpoliceviolence.org.uk - www.againstpoliceviolence.org.uk
Press: Patrick Ward 07894 49 7705
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SEAN RIGG JUSTICE AND CHANGE - STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF IAN TOMLINSON
The family of Sean Rigg wish to express their sincere condolences to Mr Tomlinson's family over his tragic, quick and untimely death after coming into contact with the police. Our thoughts and hearts are with them at this very difficult and grief stricken time.
The Rigg family have been closely following the evidence so far with heartfelt sadness as we too, amongst many other families, are going through very similar circumstances since our brother Sean died very shortly after coming into contact with Brixton police on 21 August 2008. We know from experience that Ian's family's pain at this time is being exacerbated by the misinformation and half truths at the early stages of the investigation. Had witnesses not come forward with video footage, the investigation would have taken a very different stance. We are concerned that initially the police and the IPCC appear to have mislead the public about vital information regarding the circumstances of Ian's death.
The investigation into Ian's death requires a robust and transparent investigation as quickly as possible. The Rigg family note that Nick Hardwick, Chairman of the IPCC, has quoted recently that he pledges to seek justice for the relatives of the 47 year old newspaper seller, adding "we will be independent, we will be fast and we will be effective". The Rigg family truly hope that this will be fulfilled by the IPCC and that justice will be given to Ian's family. However, the Rigg family find it inconsistent that such reassuring statements were not forthcoming from the outset and onwards into the investigation of Sean's death, for instance it took 7 months for statements to be taken from the officer's involved in Sean's arrest, amongst many other discrepancies. The Rigg family, and many other death in custody families, have had to push and push and push the IPCC to properly investigate and gather evidence from the outset and feel that in Ian's case, it is only because of the media concerns and CCTV footage that the IPCC have no alternative but to appear to act quickly and transparently. We hope that the investigation will continue this way throughout.
The Rigg family renew their appeal for all witnesses that saw Sean's arrest on Thursday 7 August 2008 between approximately 7.15 to 7.45 pm to please come forward to contact either the IPCC or the family's solicitors, Hickman & Rose.
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