Sunday, May 23, 2021

UK BLM activist Sasha Johnson shot in London
The 27-year-old BLM activist is in critical condition

THE GRIO
May 23, 2021

Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is reportedly in critical condition after she was shot in the head.

According to The Guardian, Johnson’s affiliated group, Taking the Initiative party, announced the news on social media on Sunday. On the group’s official Facebook page, the party explained that the incident happened early in morning.

The statement said: “It is with great sadness that we inform you that our own Sasha Johnson has sustained a gunshot wound to her head. She is currently hospitalised and in critical condition. The incident happened in the early hours of this morning, following numerous death threats.”

“Sasha has always been actively fighting for black people and the injustices that surround the black community, as well as being both a member of BLM and a member of Taking the Initiative Party’s Executive Leadership Committee. Sasha is also a mother of 3 and a strong, powerful voice for our people and our community.”

It is with great sadness that we inform you that our own Sasha Johnson has sustained a gunshot wound to her head. She is currently hospitalised and in a critical condition. The incident happened in the early hours of this morning, following numerous death threats.

Sasha has always been actively fighting for black people and the injustices that surround the black community, as well as being both a member of BLM and a member of Taking the Initiative Party’s Executive Leadership Committee. Sasha is also a mother of 3 and a strong, powerful voice for our people and our community.

Let’s all come together and pray for Sasha, pray for her recovery and show our support to her family and loved ones.


According to their website, the Taking the Initiative Party was established by a group of British people, “some from working-class backgrounds who felt, like many others across the country, that we had become politically homeless

They aim to create change in communities across the U.K. and by doing this, they will put forward “exceptional candidates who truly represent their communities” and “look like the society it leads.” Their mission statement goes on to say that they “see a Government that is in the pocket of Big Business and looking after its own interests.” They said that their views have put somewhat of a target on their backs.

The incident that took place on Sunday came after “multiple death threats” towards Johnson and the party. Composed as a group of Oxford Brookes University graduates, the party is described as “a strong, powerful voice” in the Black equal rights movement.

The party describes Johnson as an efficient and passionate activist who has a hunger for change. According to the Guardian, she rose to prominence after last year’s BLM protests, helping to organize demonstrations and address crowds.

Sasha Johnson has been named as the victim of a shooting in London. Picture: PA/ LBC

Claudia Webbe, the Labour MP for Leicester East, took to Twitter to express her feelings after learning the shocking news. She wrote: “Shocking to hear of the gunshot to the head of Sasha Johnson; All women should be safe on our streets. Wishing her a full recovery. Sending love and solidarity to her family, friends and loved ones. There are still too many guns and violent weapons damaging too many lives #BLM.”


According to reports made by the Metropolitan police, the 27-year-old woman was shot during a house party shortly before 3 a.m. However, the police have no reason to think it was a targeted attack at this stage in the investigation.

Read More: ‘BLM’ apparel banned at the Tokyo Olympics

Detective chief inspector Jimi Tele said: “This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries. Our thoughts are with her family who are being provided with support at this terribly difficult time.”

“Finally, I recognise that this incident will have shocked those in the local community and further afield. I would ask people to avoid speculating as to the motive or the circumstances behind it,” Tele continued.

Although Tele told the press that detectives are making “good progress,” no arrests have been made so far.

'Pray for Sasha Johnson': UK Black Lives Matter campaigner in critical condition after being shot in head

Metropolitan Police said a woman, 27, was shot shortly before 3am in Southwark, London

File photo: Sasha Johnson, centre, of the Black Lives Matter movement attends a protest at Hyde Park in London. AP

Prominent Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is being treated in intensive care after being shot in the head early on Sunday morning, her political party said.

The Taking the Initiatives Party said she was in a critical condition.

Metropolitan Police have not confirmed her identity but said a woman, 27, was shot shortly before 3am at a gathering in Southwark, London.

Officers said the woman was taken to a south London hospital with life-threatening injuries. They have appealed for witnesses and said her family had been informed.

On Instagram, the party said Ms Johnson is a mother of two and a "powerful voice", who had always fought for black people and the injustices that surround the community.


"Let's all come together and pray for Sasha, pray for her recovery and show our support to her family and loved ones," it said.

Police said at this stage there was no evidence to suggest it was a targeted shooting or that she had received any credible threats against her prior to the incident.

Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have been conducting inquiries at the scene in Consort Road and the surrounding area, and are pursuing several lines.

It is believed that the shooting occurred near a house where a party was taking place and that several people may have been in the area, the Met said.




"This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries," Det Chief Insp Jimi Tele said.

"Our thoughts are with her family who are being provided with support at this terribly difficult time."

Mr Tele said detectives were making progress but needed the public's help.

"If you saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday morning or if you have heard information since that could help detectives, it is crucial that you get in touch."

Ms Johnson, a graduate of Oxford Brookes University, has been a leading figure in the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK, and is a member of the Taking the Initiative Party's leadership committee.

Updated: May 24, 2021 05:06 AM







No comments:

Post a Comment