A virtual statue has been unveiled outside Brixton police station on the anniversary of Sean Rigg’s death in custody.
The statue is of campaigner Marcia Rigg, Sean’s sister, and is the first in a series of ‘augmented reality statue interventions’ under the ‘Holding the Flame’ initiative.
Sean died following a cardiac arrest on 21 August 2008 while in police custody.
The artwork, by transformative public arts company Aswarm, aims to offer a contemporary alternative to the statues across the streets of Britain, inviting spectators to listen to, as well as view them.
It is part of a series, 81Acts of Exuberant Defiance, responding to the 40th anniversary of the Brixton uprising; in the following weeks, the artwork will be available for longer-term public viewing through an app.
The Independent was invited to a private preview event attended by guests including Black Lives Matter UK, Linton Kwesi Johnson and bereaved family members of people who have died following police contact such as Joy Gardner’s mother, Roger Sylvester’s father and Lee Lawrence – the son of
Virtual statue of Marcia Riggs
(The Independent)
Marcia Rigg, who has campaigned for justice across the decade following her brother’s death, said: “I, along with other families and the community, remember my dear brother Sean, 13 years on, with a vigil with a difference.
“I am truly honoured and excited to be part of this new modern day series of augmented reality statues as a way of celebrating people within our communities. Many families have challenged the system for better change and accountability in our justice system here in the UK, and it is nice to be recognised for the work that we families do.
“Sean died a lonely and traumatic death at the feet of uncaring officers, just like George Floyd and so many others in the UK, the US and globally. We remember them all and they will certainly never be forgotten.”
Following the unveiling, the families then walked several yards up the road to visit the newly-erected Cherry Groce Memorial in Windrush Square.
Marcia Rigg and Linton Kwesi Johnson
(Inquest)
Rod Charles, the grand-uncle of Rashan Charles who died in 2017 following contact with the Met Police in Dalston, also attended today’s event to show his support to the Rigg family.
“The avoidable loss of life which happened 13 years ago is just as poignant today as it was then – there is no change and it’s important to support the families,” he told The Independent, adding that his own relatives have been left “broken” following Rashan’s death at the hands of officers.
Mr Charles is a retired Metropolitan Police Chief inspector, having served for 30 years. He joined in 1984 at a time when the relationships between police and communities in many parts of London was “difficult”.
Sean Rigg, a physically fit musician, died at Brixton police station in August 2008 after being restrained through excessive force by officers.
(Supplied)
“I regrettably say that all these years on, in some communities, the relationship with the police is now worse,” he said.
“Police officers have very, very difficult jobs to do; I know about that having done the job myself (…) but at the same time there needs to be a focus on the impact when things go wrong and that focus is definitely missing and I don’t think it’s an oversight.
“The structure, the policies, many of the characters within the police service and organisations of power do discriminate against other people.”
He added: “It’s important for the police to recognise the damage that’s been done and, more often than not, the tragic errors which were avoidable, compounded by the cover-ups afterwards. The onus isn’t on the community to adjust to the police; the onus is on the police service, the paid and trained officers to adapt to their communities.”
Bereaved families of people who have died following police contact.
(Inquest)
Lucy McKay, Communications and Media Manager at Inquest, described the artwork as “an important step in acknowledging and celebrating the strength and power of bereaved people”.
“Too often our legal systems fail bereaved families and do not provide the truth, justice and accountability that they and the public need following state related deaths,” she told The Independent.
“However, this does not stop families from being at the forefront of creating positive change in our systems and society.
“Marcia Rigg is one family member who has done just that, as well as other members of the United Families and Friends Campaign and the generations of families who came before them. This work, at a time when families are grieving, is so often hidden and overlooked.”
Source: Independent
