A number of activists deliberately targeted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) during controversial Black Lives Matter demonstrations, have received letters notifying them that all charges have been formally dropped. The charges related to those who took part in the June 6th solidarity actions in both Derry and Belfast, back in 2020 amidst worldwide protests and demonstrations following the brutal murder of George Floyd.
In a letter issued to all those charged, including several members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the PSNI said that "in light of findings of our accountability bodies" in relation to actions on June 6th 2020 stating that the PPS now requests that all "plenty notices be cancelled" and their records "updated accordingly". At no stage was an apology mentioned as most of those charged or fined on the day where deliberately targeted.
A spokesperson for the IWW in Derry said, “Several of our members who took part in the actions on June 6th received a letter from the PSNI informing them that all charges are now dropped and fines paid would be reimbursed.
"As a union we fully supported the solidarity actions. As soon as the action itself became public knowledge, the cops deliberately targeted activists and members of the migrant community in an effort to keep them silent, at a time when anger at the brutal murder of George Floyd was felt internationally.
"Thankfully everyone who took to the streets, completely rejected the numerous acts of deliberate intimidation to take the knee, to raise a fist and extend the hand of international solidarity.
“The lesson learned from what has unfolded in Derry and Belfast on June 6th, is that we must never allow the state to target, to isolate, to single-out or to intimidate anyone standing up for our civil rights or for social justice here in Ireland or anywhere else. We must never forget that an injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere!”.
Comments