Sadly, the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests in London on 1 April was not an isolated case. Over 1000 people have died in police custody in the last 40 years - yet no one has been found responsible. Many families who have lost loved ones in police custody are still campaigning for justice after many years, including the families of Sean Rigg, Brian Douglas, Harry Stanley, Roger Sylvester and Christopher Alder.
The United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV) has been set up around the slogans: “Remember Ian Tomlinson – no more deaths in police custody” and “Freedom to protest – defend civil liberties”. The UCAPV also demands the disbanding of the Territorial Support Group, the resignation of “Independent” Police Complaints Commission chair Nick Hardwick, and justice for those killed in police custody.
The launch meeting of UCAPV in London on 5 May heard Green Party member of the London Assembly, Jenny Jones, Anna Fairclough from Liberty, Sam Rigg-David from Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign, Deborah Coles of Inquest, Andrew Burgin from Stop the War, Martin Smith from the Socialist Workers’ Party and Andy from Legal Defence & Monitoring Group.