Good evening all,
Because we value your readership so much, we've decided to send out an extra newsletter this month. Hope that's okay!
It's Black History Month in the UK – an important annual space to celebrate, promote and reflect upon Black experiences in the UK, past and present.
During October, The Independent will be publishing articles that not only highlight Black achievement but also examine the work that must yet be done to address racial inequalities experienced by Black communities around the nation.
…as we usually do in the Race Report newsletter, right? Right.
On that topic, after Chris Kaba, 24, was fatally shot on 5 September by the Metropolitan Police last month, a statement from the force released the day after said officers "were in pursuit of a suspect vehicle in the Lambeth area".
But now it has emerged that he was quietly followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens on just before the incident took place.
The Met has also confirmed Chris was not a suspect of any crime at the time of his death. What's more, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) made no mention of a chase when reading a case summary in court during an inquest hearing today.
So, this new information suggests there was no actual chase, contrary to what the public were led by the Met to believe through the initial statement, just a Black man being tailed by the police for reasons unknown to him.
In the wake of Black Lives Matter demonstrations that brought the world to a standstill two years ago, keeping conversations around these issues remains a key priority while Black people, along with other marginalised groups, are being robbed of their lives and liberty every day.
Here's a rundown of other important news items.
Met Police being sued over Gangs Matrix
Human rights charity Liberty will have its case against the Met Police over its "racist" Gangs Matrix database heard in court next month, I can reveal.
It follows The Independent's report that legal action was under way a few months ago.
NHS launches groundbreaking probe into health inequalities among Jewish communities
Low immunisations, high Covid-19 rates and heightened breast cancer risks are among some of the disproportionate health issues faced by people within Jewish communities that will be examined through a year-long review commissioned by the NHS Race and Health Observatory.
Wishing G'mar Chatima Tova to Jewish communities celebrating Yom Kippur around the world today.
Department for Education disappoints on Black History Month before it's even begun
Earlier this year, the DfE committed to publishing school resources and information to support this year's Black History Month via its Education Hub.
But these resources were nowhere to be found as the nation rang in Black History Month over the weekend. Eventually, the hub was updated with this content on 3 October with no apology or explanation, giving teachers little time to prepare in advance of the annual event.
So it's perhaps unsurprising that teachers and campaigners are accusing the government of dragging its feet on including these topics in the national curriculum.
"The government is not moving quick enough," Louise Atkinson, president of Europe's largest teacher's union, told me.
Sadiq Khan appeals to Hindu and Muslim communities
"British Muslims and British Hindus should always be allies, not adversaries," the London Mayor wrote in a thread about ongoing tensions between Hindus and Muslim communities in Leicester which are being "stoked up by extremist forces".
A Black man died following police contact in Devon – but we don't know his name yet
The IOPC launched an investigation into Devon and Cornwall Police on 15 July after a Black man, aged 35, died following contact with officers on Sunday 3 July.
The man's name has not been made public and I have made multiple requests to the watchdog for this information. I'll keep you posted.
The Independent offers Black businesses free ads worth thousands of pounds for October
At The Independent, we've also offered free advertisement packages worth thousands of pounds to Black charities and organisations across October, to help unlock opportunities this Black History Month.
By doing this, we hope also to raise awareness about the important work within a cross-section of industries from civil rights and technology to finance and media.
The Independent's opinion section, Voices, will cover Black perspectives and experiences throughout the month.
This will include pieces by Diane Abbott MP, presenters Ayo Akinwolere and Judi Love, Editor of Black British Lives Matter Marcus Ryder, footballer Danny Welbeck and Loose Women's Kéllé Bryan.
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