Brothers Dave Springer (left), Tippa Naphtali (center) and Benjamin Zephaniah (right) (Copy)

4WardEverUK : 15 years on and much more yet to come!

source: 4WardEverUK
published: 8 May 2021

June 2021 will mark 15 years since the launch of 4WardEverUK in 2006 by Tippa Naphtali the cousin of Mikey Powell, who was killed in the custody of West Midlands police, Birmingham, UK in September 2003. Our purpose is to provide a one-stop-resource for profiles, news, event details, useful information, appeals, and more in relation to deaths in custody and other injustices in the UK and internationally.

Over the last 15 years we have both maintained and established links with and supported campaigns both in the United Kingdom and abroad, held or co-produced many events, influenced local regional and national reforms; and been actively engaged in developing and overseeing custody initiatives on the ground working across statutory and community organisations.

See our factsheet here >

To mark its 15th anniversary 4WardEverUK will be continuing its current focus & mission, as well as working in collaboration with some other key partners such as the following:

The National Mikey Powell Memorial Family Fund
The National Memorial Family Fund is the first permanent national resource of its kind specifically for those that are affected by deaths in custody. We will make small grants available for families and their campaign groups across the United Kingdom to provide practical domestic assistance, to further the work of their own campaigns or to assist them in engaging in a range of other local, regional or national campaigns, events and initiatives.

The People’s Tribunal on Police Killings
The Tribunal will hear evidence regarding the above from families and other relevant parties. This will be presented to an international panel in a public forum. The panels decisions will then be implemented with the support of international bodies.

Catalyst 4 Change CIC
Catalyst supports community organisations, social enterprises, faith groups or businesses that have a significant African and Caribbean mental health / wellbeing service user base. They do this by providing learning seminars, networking opportunities, capacity building, incubation support, representation and research; and access to a professional services directory.

RedAlert HELP! (under development)
First conceived in 2014, RedAlert HELP! is now under development by 4WardEverUK and Catalyst 4 Change. The initiative already provides an online DIY support hub, and has aspirations to also provide advocacy support and a 24Hr telephone and text advice service for families affected by deaths or abuses in custody, or concerned about vulnerable relatives or friends detained in custody.

We pledge to continue our mission of bringing relevant news to the campaigning and general community, influencing change, supporting other justice initiatives and programmes to support victims of state injustice and wrongful killings.

“We face neither East nor West; We face forward. All men of goodwill, organize, organize, organize. We prefer self-government in danger, to servitude in tranquility. Forward ever, backward never”  Dr Kwame Nkrumah

Find out out more about what we do here >

Onward in 2021 and beyond…