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4WardEver UK

Stage play inspired by Sheku Bayoh to examine Scotland’s racist underbelly

Sheku Bayoh & Family
Sheku Bayoh & Family

source: The Scotsman
published: 7 August 2019

A powerful new play inspired by the case of a father-of-two who died in police custody in Scotland and intended to explore how racist the country really is, is being developed by one of its leading theatres.

The Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh is working with an acclaimed poet and writer on Lament for Sheku, which will examine how much prejudice exists in Scotland’s institu­tions and in our wider society.

Hannah Lavery, who has already created a spoken word show recalling her experiences of growing up in a mixed-race family in Edinburgh, said the play was aimed at revealing the human tragedy behind the Sheku Bayoh case, which triggered accusations of racism within Police Scotland.

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4WardEver UK

Settlement reached in police-custody death of Ethan Saylor

Ethan Saylor
Ethan Saylor

source: Washington Post
published: 24 April 2018

The family of Robert Ethan Saylor, a man with Down syndrome who died after three off-duty Frederick County sheriff deputies forced him from a movie theater, have reached a settlement with the state of Maryland, the deputies and the management company of the shopping center where the theater is located.

The $1.9 million settlement will mark the end of a long-standing lawsuit and comes more than five years after Saylor’s death led to public outrage and a call for better training of law enforcement officials.

“There’s a cliche that you can’t assign a dollar amount to a human being’s life, but that is our system, that’s the only remedy we have for justice in our system,” Saylor’s mother, Patti Saylor, said Tuesday.

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4WardEver UK

Exclusive: Watchdog urges charges over [Sean Rigg] death in custody

Sean Rigg
Sean Rigg

source: The Guardian
published: 23 February 2018

The police watchdog has said that five officers should face gross misconduct charges over the death of Sean Rigg, the Guardian has learned.

The allegations include claims of excessive force being used against the mentally ill musician, who died in 2008 at Brixton police station, south London. The case has caused concern from the prime minister downwards.

The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) believes the five officers should face allegations including the alleged use of excessive force and use of inappropriate restraint techniques, failing to identify and treat Rigg, 40, as suffering from mental health problems and failing to protect him from harm. The Met can reject the findings, but the police watchdog can direct a hearing be held.

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