I’m absolutely appalled that over two decades on from the McPherson Report, that was supposed to stop systematic and structural racism in its tracks, nothing seems to have changed.
Different circumstances, but same old story as, once again, we have a black man dying, a police force facing some serious questions, and a community left broken with anger and grief.
Mohamud Mohammed Hassan was a young, healthy twenty-four-year-old arrested by South Wales Police on Friday January 8. He was released without charge, in a distressed state, suffering numerous physical injuries, and died within hours.
Fellow blogger Lee Jasper is chronicling the circumstances here.
As you can see, it’s a tragic tale that Mohamud’s family, friends – and all of us who are working tirelessly towards an anti-racist Wales, need investigated thoroughly and urgently.
To reassure the community, we must know exactly what happened to the well-liked Cardiff man during his time in custody. And crucially if there is absolutely any connection between him being held at the Cardiff Bay Station and his untimely death just hours later.
South Wales Police have stated that they had, so far, found “no evidence of excessive force or misconduct.” And they have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Beggars belief though doesn’t that after everything that happened when cops killed George Floyd across the water last year, leading to a pivotal moment in the fight for racial equality, we are back here, almost right where we started.
This year also marks a decade since the collapse of the UK’s biggest police-corruption trial into South Wales’ Police handling of the Cardiff Three. But still, in 2021, you are 6.8 times more likely to be stopped and searched by Cardiff police if you are Black, and you are 6.5x times more likely to go to prison if you are Black in Wales.
In my view, be it 1991, 1971, 1951, the racist record is just playing on repeat for our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities due, depressingly, to a society that is skewed towards white privilege, rather than equality for all.
Nice to note though that the real resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement means most of our society want to see openness, honesty and accountability from our Public Services – demanding answers to questions that before were maybe left unasked.
And Mohamud’s death must make us fight for this transparency. We must visibly stand up and be counted for what we believe in whilst refusing to stay silent until the truth is told.
A concerted campaign is already underway to hold South Wales Police to account, driven by Black led organisations and supported by white allies – including Barry’s own Stand Up to Racism (Vale) collective. A five-day series of socially-distanced protests saw hundreds gather outside Cardiff Bay Police Station.
There is also a Justice for Mohamud Petition, calling for the release of the police’s body cam, and CCTV footage of the incident – the initial arrest, and subsequent detention and release, without charge of Mr Hassan.
A Go Fund Me page to help Mohamud’s family has been set up here. And last time I looked over £47, 000 had been raised so strong is the sense of feeling out there.
The funds raised will be spent on funeral arrangements, legal costs of solictors, extra expenses on reports and the private case the family are holding. Once our campaign is finished all monies will directly be given to Mohamud’s immediate family to then spend on what is needed to win and receive the justice they deserve.
Mohamud’s funeral took place on Sunday January 17th – may he rest in eternal power.
