Annual United Families and Friends march in London

This year's annual families and friends march in London came on the back of the killing of Chris Kaba in Streatham and was attended by 100s.

The procession started with speeches and a rally of around 500 people in Trafalgar Square.

The march set off from Trafalgar Square at around 13.30pm and grew as it progressed down Whitehall and commenced with further speeches at 10 Downing Street.

Protesters progressing to Downing Street

There were a number of campaigns in attendance commemorating those killed in custody and in mental health institutions.

The United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) was set up in 1997 by families who had lost loved ones at the hands of the state to challenge the injustice in the system.

It has now grown as a group that supports all families of the victims of custodial deaths at the hands of police officers, prison officers or in medical units.

They believe:

• The failure of State officials to ensure the basic right to life is made worse by the failure of the State to prosecute those responsible for custody deaths.
• That failure to prosecute those responsible for deaths in custody sends the message that the State can act with impunity.

You can support the family campaigns by pledging to the National Memorial Family Fund.

The annual procession has been taking place since 1999.

Peter Tatchell released after arrest at LGBT+ protest in Qatar

Peter Tatchell has just been released 25 October after being arrested the same day due to his staging the first ever LGBT+ protest in any gulf state.

Click here for a story on the arrest and release of Peter Tatchell today in Qatar.

Marine Le Pen, Non!

As France breathes a temporary sigh of relief in the run offs, Marine Le Pen is still expected to contest the French election right up to the wire, with the margin seeming small, according to the BBC.

All I can say is the woman and her supporters are deluded.

You do not unite anyone, by deliberately excluding minorities.

It creates a fractured and tragic dynamic where everyone loses.

Thus greater is the sadness that some on the left are saying they are not going to vote.

I may not be a die hard Macron supporter, but even I can see he is infinitely preferable to a blatantly right wing candidate.

A candidate who will not only make minorities vulnerable, but will completely destroy the hope of the equality promised in the very essence of France.

France, you have the democratic power to keep extreme intolerance out, please don’t lose that chance.

Trade Unions make a smaller independent stand against the Russian War in Ukraine

Around 100 people gathered in parliament square with union banners today to protest for a free Ukraine.

Numbers increased to a few 100 as the march progressed to Whitehall.

They raised cheers from onlookers later in the rally, but the turnout was more symbolic than historic.

Protest in London against war in Ukraine

Over 150,000 turned out in London to protest against Putin’s war in Ukraine yesterday, numbers estimated by organisers.

Lambeth Council Meeting disrupted by Xtinction Rebellion

A small number of Xtinction Rebellion protestors interrupted a Climate Action launch at Lambeth Council this evening.

They urged the council to act quickly on Climate Change, to the slight dismay of Councillor Holland.

Diane from fuel poverty action also spoke at length at perceived issues with recycling in the borough, as well as highlighting the cost of living.

Councillor Holland defended the Council ‘s position.

British legislation to breach the Declaration of Human Rights amid an unfolding refugee crisis

As opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grows globally, the emergency stage of a refugee crisis is happening in the Ukraine now, similar to that experienced in Afghanistan after the withdrawal.

The humanitarian crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine have brought into stark relief the uneven and unfair nature of the UK borders bill. This bill looks set to breach the 1951 UN Convention on Human Rights at a time when refugee rights sorely need protecting.

James Bulman of the UNHCR pointed to the fact that international law is dependent on UK compliance with it to bolster international respect for these laws, as they are not enshrined and require a lot of good will from participating countries.

Breaching them and not complying with them erodes international law globally.

It could be argued that wealthy nations such as Britain have an even greater responsibility to protect and uphold these laws.

Most refugees flee to bordering countries, so the overwhelming amount of pressure is felt there. This is why both the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and UNHCR work internationally, among other relief agencies.

The UNHCR is calling for an increase in speed of the asylum system at this time and into the future and the avoidance of detention, processing claims in the community.

The only real distinction of a refugee is under Article 1 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, the move by the government and certain media outlets to class refugees as migrants if they have not accepted asylum on their first state of arrival should to James Bulman’s mind be discouraged.

Although he agrees in his role for the UNHCR that law regarding people trafficking is valuable, he does not believe that this new borders bill will achieve this and will disrupt an underlying humanitarian principle in the process.

Protest in London against Putin entering Ukraine

A protest of several 100s amassed to call for withdrawal from Ukraine of Russian troops.

Chants of "Stop Putin" and "Uk Arm Ukraine" were raised.

Police presence was measured, but closed in a growing number of protesters in the early stages of the protest.

It continued peacefully.

Protesters opposite Downing Street.

See also BBC coverage of protests in Russia. 

FICTION: A day on the water

Here is a short story I wrote if you're bored over Christmas.

Please tip if you can and you like it.

I have been writing reviews on Medium, if you want to check out the link on the side of the blog.

Xposed

 Xposed re-emerged yesterday at Southwark Playhouse for another set of seven LGBT plays.

The Xposed event showcases emerging talent in LGBT productions.

This year's collection was strong all round.

From tales of young gay men attempting to lose their virginity to lesbians pontificating about getting married in churches.

Xposed arcs humourously through a variety of everyday stories of LGBT life and has showcased some great writers to watch for the future.

Tickets will be available for another Xposed this time next year, keep your eyes peeled.

FICTION: Bathed in Green

I have written a slightly off kilter short story on Vocal.

I hope you enjoy!

If you like it please tip if you can.

Raise income tax cowards!

The government has just raised National Insurance contributions to pay for improved social care provision in the UK, this is one of the most unfair choices they could make.

National Insurance, as many will know, is a flat tax: meaning it does not take account of income, but rather is a standard increase for all.

This means all of the working population takes a share of the burden, but those workers who earn more pay a smaller percentage of their take home pay.

Many have argued that this will hit the young hardest, as they are normally on the lowest incomes and do not necessarily benefit as directly from the tax rise.

This argument misses the point somewhat, this tax will disproportionately burden all low paid workers, while those earning more will take a lighter hit.

Income tax and/or capital gains tax would have been a fairer way of distributing this load, asking for a more significant contribution from those most able to pay.

I asked a young security guard who lives locally what he thought of the tax rise and he said while he was initially a bit sad he recognises the need for the tax to protect vulnerable groups and him in his old age.

When I suggested they could have taxed income instead of National Insurance he indicated that they would never do this.

He was being huge!

While I applaud his community mindedness, I do not think that the burden for this crisis should be landing so heavily on his shoulders.

The government should ask from people who have the greatest means to pay progressively, it is the fairest and most sustainable way to fund the welfare state.

Owen Jones has released a video on this:

Credit to Owen Jones

This morning's marriage proposal

"Sarah, I want to marry you. I'll give you £5,000..."

How would you respond?

I suspect it was a joke, but it wasn't very funny.

I said: "Oh, go away!"

This coupled with yesterday's literal begging from another man.

"Please, I'm so horny."

Delightful.

And for all those people who clothes shame I was not that revealingly dressed.

Here's a message to all men: Do not do this!

It is never appreciated and just weirds women out.

If they are considering you at all, this will put them right off.

Get to know them properly, ask them out for a drink first.

Behave like a sane person!

Rant over.

This sadly is not fiction.

FICTION: As beautiful as a marigold

Here is a rather over romantic piece of short fiction.

Enjoy!

If you like it please leave a small tip, it is really appreciated.

A day of protests

Hundreds gathered at Parliament Square yesterday to protest the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill currently working its way through the Lords.

Protester at Kill the Bill Rally

Shami Chakrabarti and Bell Ribeiro Addy were among the speakers at the rally. The organisation of speakers was a little shambolic, as two sets spoke concurrently for no apparent reason on the same subject.

The demonstration then made its way to Trafalgar Square. Where they were permitted to share space with a Haitian event already rallying at the Square.

As they rallied a demonstration of thousands protesting the current situation in Afghanistan passed the Square and proceeded down Whitehall with signs that read: Save Afghan Women and Stop a Proxy Afghanistan War.

Protesters demonstrating about the situation in Afghanistan

Had it not been raining I wonder if turn out for all the different events may have been larger. Although perhaps the police bill and the situation in Afghanistan feel like a done deal to many.

FICTION: An unwelcome surprise

Not everyone wants the same things, check out this short story.

Enjoy! 

If you like it please leave a small tip.

Tom Daley and Matty Lee diving for Gold

If you were ever in any doubt why I included Tom Daley's work out in my blog post on fitness.

Here is his latest blog post on his Gold medal win.

Tom Daley and Matty Lee Olympic champions

It is lovely to see Team GB doing so well, but it is great to see Tom Daley win a well deserved Gold.

This video will be great if you missed it.

What it doesn't show you is Daley and Lee positioned firmly for the silver, until a fatal Chinese error that allowed Tom and Matty to edge past them to winning position.

Now the jubilation seems even more pent up, right?

What the win means in their own words at the press conference

FICTION: Death by Chocolate

Here is a piece of ludicrous fiction I wrote.

Enjoy!

If you like it please leave me a small tip.

Over £44k raised from the NHS Big Tea

Over £44,000 has been raised for the NHS Charities Together through the NHS Big Tea, which took place on the 5th of July 2021.

This is the current total raised through Virgin Money Giving.

The break down of the total is £39,209.06 in donations, plus £5,633.99 received in addition in Gift Aid.

This may not be the final amount, but it shows how deep British people are willing to dig into their pockets for NHS Charities at a hard time for the country. 

The NHS Big Tea had to take place online up and down the country due to Coronavirus restrictions still being in place, this hampered some of the fund raising initiatives slightly.

Three Lions

English Football can be beautiful, but it can also be ugly.

Following England toppling out at the last moment of Euro 2020, some "football fans" showed their ugly side.

Many will now have heard of the racist abuse directed at Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho.

Why do England "fans" do this?

You have twenty-two men representing your country to the best of their ability, facing the spotlight and winning time and again in real style.

Then the minute they lose you unleash the ugliest side of yourself to attack them anonymously online.

Why aren't we past this?

Rashford, Saka and Sancho are now the three lions of English football in my mind, standing up against the basest English instinct and representing a diverse and beautiful England full of colour and diversity.

Continue to roar guys.