Marching For Justice

The March for Justice is a historical photo document which references the former Aston Villa soccer star Dalian Atkinson’s death and the subsequent march entitled The Peaceful Truth and Justice March[1]. This book is divided into 16 sections and includes two journalistic articles. This publication, begins by outlining the life and death of Dalian Atkinson, followed by a selection of images which offer a pictorial insight into the 'The Peaceful Truth and Justice March' from the moment protesters gathered at the Telford Town Park and their arrival outside Telford’s Malinsgate Police Station. Throughout this book, images of marchers dressed in Aston Villa Football club colours and blue t-shirts with Dalian Atkinson’s face emblazed are heavily featured, including marchers carrying a combination of pre-prepared and homemade placards with messages such as Black Lives Matter, Hands Up Don’t Shoot. Images of protesters smiling chanting slogans, taking pictures, checking their phones, singing are numerous, including images expressing hurt, anger frustration and pain regarding the manner in which Dalian Atkinson died and police attempts to use racial stereotypes to justify his violent death. The UK uprisings of 2011, were a concern for the West Mercia police, march organizers and Atkinson Family who were more than aware that The Peaceful Truth and Justice March could end up with a violent clash between the police and protesters, especially when the victims of police brutality are from an African or African Caribbean background.  The absence of high-profile politicians, community leaders ensured that The Peaceful Truth and Justice March would not attract a large cohort of protesters from outside, hence creating a greater possibility of a social disturbance. That’s not always the case, but the potential for such eventualities could not be ignored, given that Telford a majority white town is so close to Wolverhampton and Birmingham. cities with very large Black communities and a history of police related social disturbances. Fortunately, the march remained peaceful, with no warnings, cautions or arrests, just as the Atkinson family, police and wider community expected, and rightfully so.