A demonstration in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement is being organised this Saturday in Sheffield by local activists. The vigil is being held in response to the murder by Minnesota police officers of George Floyd which has sparked protests across the USA and worldwide. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to organiser and activist Abdullah Okud.
Human rights campaigners have welcomed a decision not to jail 15 protestors who were convicted over the grounding of a plane at Stansted chartered to carry 60 deportees to Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The protestors had chained themselves to the aircraft after breaking through an airport fence and were convicted of aviation security offences. An appeal to overturn the convictions is pending. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Rosie Huzzard, organiser of the Right to Remain campaign.
A campaign led by councillors and community activists is calling on South Yorkshire local authorities to stop investing pension money in arms companies. Campaigners say South Yorkshire’s Pension Authority has invested £30m of council workers’ pensions into companies who sell defence equipment to Saudi Arabia and some of those arms are being used to kill civilians in the continuing war in Yemen. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
University of Sheffield students are getting behind the Youth Stop AIDS campaign to raise awareness about HIV and the stigma attached. A World AIDS Day panel discussion and film screening were among the activities organised in support of the campaign. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A rape victim in Rotherham has waived her anonymity to launch a law reform campaign following claims a man who raped her was offered a chance to play a role in her son’s life. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The Age Better in Sheffield campaign, led by South Yorkshire Housing Association, is seeking to reduce isolation and loneliness among over 50s with a toolkit going out initially to 7,000 households in the Firth Park area. The kits are designed to encourage people to connect with one another, especially those who may feel isolated, and include information about activities and facilities as well as advice. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Hannah Thornton of Age Better in Sheffield.
A new campaign, called Smokefree Sheffield, has been launched to encourage people to quit smoking and to work towards a smokefree generation. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Two Sheffield students have launched a campaign to make websites harmful to mental health subject to regulation including a requirement to carry a pop-up warning notice. The initiative is in response to the growth in online content advocating for harmful behaviour including pro-self harm, pro-eating disorder and pro-suicide website. Jess Mell and Aiden Mortimer have started a petition on the issue calling for government action and have spoken about their own experiences. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion and Green Party Co-leader, was in Sheffield to help launch Sheffield Green Party’s campaign for the upcoming local elections on 3 May. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Environmental campaigners arrived at Sheffield rail station carrying a giant electrical plug on a journey from Bedford having made several stops en route. They are calling on the Government to reverse a decision in July to cancel plans to electrify the Midland Mainline beyond Kettering, a move which would have reduced air pollution and carbon emissions. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Hannah Wakney of Leicester Friends of the Earth.