Black Lives Matter - The African Mirror

May

2021

UK Black Lives Matters activist critically ill after shooting

BLACK Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is critically ill after being shot in the head in south London, her political party said. London's Metropolitan Police appealed for witnesses after offices found a woman, who they said was thought to be in her 20s, suffering a gunshot injury in Peckham. Police said the woman, who they have not named, remained in hospital with life-threatening injuries. "We are all hoping that this young woman's condition improves," detective chief inspector Jimi Tele said. "Our investigation is in its early stages and urgent enquiries are under way to establish the circumstances." Johnson, a mother…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Lewis Hamilton wins inaugural Activism Award

SPORT

MPHO RANTAO FORMULA One champion Lewis Hamilton has earned his third Laureus award. Hamilton received the Laureus Athlete advocate of the Year award, an inaugural award that recognises the impact made by Hamilton in his fight against racism and for equality. His acts included his outspoken support for racial justice, and taking a knee at each Grand Prix. Held in a virtual ceremony in Seville, Spain, Hamilton thanked the Laureus organisation for the inaugural, his third from Laureus. “A huge thank you to the Laureus World Sports Academy for presenting me with this incredible award,” he said. https://twitter.com/LaureusSport/status/1390356887699402762?s=20 The seven-time…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Black Lives Matter co-founder urges Nigeria to free jailed police protesters

NEWS

LIBBY GEORGE A group of activists and celebrities, including a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, have signed an open letter to Nigeria's president demanding that he hold accountable security personnel accused of shooting anti-police brutality protesters. The letter, published in the New York Times on Thursday to mark International Human Rights Day, comes nearly two months after what witnesses and Amnesty International say was a fatal clash in Lagos between peaceful protesters and military and police. The military and police deny shooting protesters. The demonstrators had called for an end to police brutality and a much-hated unit called…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma offers ‘Songs of Comfort and Hope’ in duo album

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ALICIA POWELL CELLIST Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott have teamed up for the third time in "Songs of Comfort and Hope," dedicated to all the people who are going through tough times around the world. The album, coming out on Friday, starts by acknowledging the Black Lives Matter movement with "Ol' Man River." Other tracks include "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Moscow Nights," "Waltzing Matilda," and the South African lullaby, "Thula Baba." "All of these songs have specific meaning for people in different places," Ma said, noting that the coronavirus pandemic had been a global experience. "We're hoping that this…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

Hamilton not probed after taking a knee in ‘Arrest the Cops’ T-shirt

SPORT

ALAN BALDWIN SIX-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will not be investigated by the sport’s authorities after he took a knee before the start of the Tuscan Grand Prix on Sunday with a message on his T-shirt declaring "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor". The words "say her name" and a photograph of Taylor were on the back of Briton Hamilton's black shirt as he knelt with other drivers before the anthem as part of the sport's now-regular anti-racism stance. The FIA has decided that it won't investigate whether Hamilton’s protest violated its rules. The Mercedes driver, the…