ART NOT EVIDENCE!

BLAM UK’s Founder Ife Thompson Joins ‘ART NOT EVIDENCE’ Campaign for Justice and Freedom of Expression

Written By Bettina Ogbomoide

We are eager to announce that BLAM UK’s Founder and Movement Lawyer, Ife Thompson, is a part of the transformative ‘ART NOT EVIDENCE’ campaign, a movement pushing for a fairer criminal justice system.

The ‘Art Not Evidence’ campaign passionately fights against artistic expression, particularly in rap music, being used as evidence in criminal trials. ‘We believe that art is a fundamental freedom of expression and should not unfairly implicate individuals. By collaborating with musicians, community groups, and human rights organisations, we’re pushing for law reform to decriminalise rap music and promote artistic expression for all.’

BLAM UK advocates for and champions language justice, recognising the importance of Black British English, especially in Black music. Black British English and/or African-American Vernacular English provides a platform for Black youth to express themselves, whilst also observing and preserving  oral traditions and cultural narratives. Our most recent Black History Month event celebrated Black music’s cultural relevance in the UK, bringing people together through games, quizzes, food, and informative sessions. We’re excited to continue this work through the ‘Art Not Evidence’ campaign.

‘ This is a timely campaign that will push the issue of racial justice in the Courtroom space to the forefront everyones minds. For too long the ways Black people show up in the world including how we look, act and talk have been penalised, policed and prosecuted for this we say no more and I am honoured to be amongst fellow antagonists and disrupters making this much needed change happen.’

Ife Thompson 

Following the success of the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (The RAP Act) in the United States, supported by artists like Jay-Z and Meek Mill, we hope that this success can be achieved in the UK too. Using creative expression as evidence risks injustice, perpetuates stereotypes, and contributes to a racially discriminatory system. 

We ask that police, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and judges stop the indiscriminate use of creative expression as evidence, and seek to create a legal reform to ensure a fairer system that respects freedom of expression. Join us in seeking justice and supporting the ‘Art Not Evidence’ campaign.

For more information, please contact:

Bettina Ogbomoide

Bettinaxblam@gmail.xom

Enquries regarding ‘Art Not Evidence’ Campaign

Hello@artnotevidence.org

About BLAM UK – 

BLAM UK is an award-winning educational, advocacy and mental health not-for-profit.  We work to champion Black British cultural capital and creativity, improve the mental health and wellbeing of peoples of African descent, provide a comprehensive and decolonised education system, and support social inclusion of the Black British community.

About ‘Art Not Evidence’ Campaign

‘Art Not Evidence’ seeks to make the criminal justice system fairer by advocating to limit the use of art, particularly rap music, as evidence in trials. We recognise that art is a necessary freedom of expression that shouldn’t be used to unfairly accuse people. We’re teaming up with a number of groups & organisations to push for law changes with the goal of building a more equal and inclusive society that values artistic freedom for everyone.