Unlawful Killing

Today, 23 July 2025, Chris Kaba should have been celebrating his 27th birthday with his loved ones. Instead, he was killed by Metropolitan police officer Martyn Blake on 5 September 2022. To honour Chris, we’re sharing a very special episode of Unlawful Killing. Originally recorded back in 2023, hosts Lucy Brisbane and Lee Lawrence spoke to Chris’ father, Prosper Kaba, about Chris' life, the impact of his death, and his family’s ongoing fight for justice. This episode was previously removed due to legal proceedings, but today — on Chris’ birthday — we are bringing it back. We share this episode in memory of Chris, and in solidarity with his family and all those still seeking justice. Find out more about the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign.Unlawful Killing is produced by Leila Hagmann and Naomi Oppenheim. Oral histories supported by OnTheRecord. Music by Dave Okumu.This podcast is published by Aunt Nell.More information and sources of support: www.inquest.org.uk/podcastSupport this show by donating at: www.inquest.org.uk/donate

In the second part on protest banners, we hear from the families who have contributed to INQUEST’s own memorial banners; two covering England/Wales and one for Scotland. These inspiring banners are made up of different squares stitched together with each section representing individual stories. The families talk about the different stories behind the stitch work, the people they commemorate and the positive experience that came out of working on the banners. 

Continuing with the artistic theme, this episode focuses on visual power of the protest banner. Lucy and Lee talk to campaigner Susan Alexander, whose son Azelle Rodney, an unarmed Black man, was fatally shot by a Met Police officer just a week after his 24th birthday. Susan talks about the heavy toll of state failures on her and her family and how art is both a tonic for grief and a tool for community campaigning. Susan commissioned a banner in memory of Azelle, in his favourite colour blue, to take along to United Friends and Families Campaign marches, which memorialise lost loved ones. She tells Lucy and Lee about the banner — made by trade union and protest banner-making extraordinaire Ed Hall — and the impact it has on her and others when carrying it on the marches. Find out more about the United Friends and Families Campaign (UFFC) (https://uffcampaign.org/)

In previous episodes of Unlawful Killing, we’ve heard and talked about loved ones who have died at the hands of the state, but rarely do we actually get to hear from those who have died.These people were also poets, musicians, artists and writers. After digging out some incredible material from INQUEST’s archives, we’d like to remember these artists by sharing some of their work. As there’s so much in the archives, we only have enough time to talk about a few of the works, including art from Smiley Culture, Emily Hartley, Agnes McDonald, Matty Sheldrick, Jimmy Heather-Hayes, and Joe Black.All these artists are from different parts of the country, different ages, making art in different decades and at different life stages but what unites these artistic voices is the fact that they’ve each died at the hands of the state.'Police Officer', Smiley Culture © Fashion RecordsEmbalmed (w1b0's Alternative Method of Preservation) © Nexus 23Transform (Beatprozessor's Dirty Bass Transform) © Nexus 23Thanks to Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Bundey and Alfie Neill for their readings.Find out more about the artists featured:Smiley Culture – NTS Radio Page Matty Sheldrick’s website - www.mattyzak.com Joe Black’s Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/nexus23 Jim Heather-Hayes - https://history.inquest.org.uk/case-profiles/jim-heather-hayes/ Emily Hartley - https://history.inquest.org.uk/case-profiles/emily-hartley/ Agnes McDonald - https://www.inquest.org.uk/agnes-mcdonald-conclusion

Campaigning work often takes many forms, and using the arts to protest can be just as effective as any other means. In this episode, Lucy speaks to Lee Jarman and Sarah Kadri, who are part of LUNG Theatre — a campaign-led charity which works with communities and bereaved families to develop verbatim productions as a vehicle to campaign for change.Lee’s brother Kevin died a self-inflicted death at HMP Woodhill in 2013. Lee and Sarah speak about LUNG’s powerful movement piece on the people who have died at Woodhill and the significance of verbatim theatre in bringing protesting families together as well as reaching new audiences.Find out more about LUNG theatre (https://www.lungtheatre.co.uk/)

The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 is a scandalous stain on British history. The fire claimed 72 lives but despite the relentless battle families and campaigners have faced, no one has yet been brought to justice. However, this hasn’t stopped survivors and bereaved families fighting to make sure the legacy of Grenfell’s victims lives on. Lucy and Lee talk to Sandra Ruiz from the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission. Sandra speaks about the importance of collective community action and how that has helped relatives and survivors take ownership of the decision-making process in the ways Grenfell is memorialised, including the more organic methods of remembering those who died.Find out more about the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission (https://www.grenfelltowermemorial.co.uk/)

How do bereaved families cope after a loved one dies in such horrendous circumstances? What can be done to keep their loved one’s name alive within a system that’s so keen to bury the truth and move on?Lucy and Lee are back for a third series and while reflecting on series one and two, they look at how bereaved families have united in their campaigning and grief to continue collective journeys for justice. Campaign groups are formed, commemorations are erected, legacies are made, loved ones live on. In this episode Lee speaks about his own experience with building the Cherry Groce Foundation — named in tribute to his mum who was paralysed and later died after being shot by a Met police officer in 1985 — which aims to make a difference to the lives of ordinary people who are faced with extraordinary challenges.  Find out more about the Cherry Groce Foundation (https://www.cherrygroce.org/)

Kevin Blowe, coordinator for NETPOL (The Network for Police Monitoring) is a longstanding campaigner against police violence, suppression of protest and deaths in custody.In this episode, Kevin speaks about the myth of ‘police accountability’ and the importance of community response.Lucy and Lee reflect on different forms of accountability and how communities have responded to police violence then and now.Do we need reform or transformation? Unlawful Killing is made in partnership with INQUEST and Aunt Nell. Produced by Leila Hagmann and Naomi Oppenheim. Thanks for the continued support of Aunt Nell.This podcast is part funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Hodge Jones & Allen.Oral histories supported by OnTheRecord. Music by Dave Okumu. More information and sources of support: www.inquest.org.uk/podcastSupport this show by donating at: www.inquest.org.uk/donateFind out more about NETPOL: https://netpol.org/