Breaking :British BLM activist Sasha Johnson in critical condition after gunshot to the head

[malaise]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/blm-activist-sasha-johnson-in-critical-condition-after-gunshot-to-the-head

The Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to her head, her affiliated group, Taking the Initiative party, has announced on social media.

In a statement on the group’s Facebook page, the party said that the incident happened in the early hours of Sunday and followed “numerous death threats”.

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.”
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no words

[Champp]

1. .

[peppertree]

2. The logical next step in far-right terrorism

They're nothing if not predictable.

All the Best to Sasha Johnson.

[cinematicdiversions]

20. Unfortunately this is more likely a local situation not right wing terrorism.

Considering where and when this took place, they may have arrests soon. Don't be surprised if it was a local juvenile aiming at someone else.

[Klaralven]

24. Another party shooting like the ones in the US.

The Met said the woman was found after officers were called to reports of gunshots in Peckham, south-east London, shortly before 3am.

It is believed the shooting occurred in the vicinity of a house where a party was taking place and a number of people may have been in the area.

A spokesperson said that, while the investigation is at an early stage, there is nothing to suggest it was a targeted attack or that the woman had received any credible threats against her before this incident. Detectives from the Met’s specialist crime command (Trident) are leading the investigation.

[rockfordfile]

28. I doubt it. clearly the attacked was planned.

[cinematicdiversions]

34. We shall see but knife and gun violence is a big problem in certain communities in London. NT

[BGBD]

38. Clearly?

Why?

[revmclaren]

3. .

[hlthe2b]

4. OMG...

My thoughts are with her, this beautiful, courageous, determined young woman. May you come back to us and to your cause.

[malaise]

7. Spare a thought for her three young kids

[hlthe2b]

9. Indeed.

This is heart-breaking.

[uponit7771]

37. +1,

[PortTack]

5. So sad

[Effete Snob]

10. The DoJ is unlikely to investigate a shooting in the UK

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. How sad and dreadful for her and her children! Thank you, dear malaise. ♥

[onecaliberal]

12. 🥲🥲💔🙏🏻

[Layzeebeaver]

13. Who did this?

Are there any details?

[malaise]

14. Not a lot of details yet

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/blm-activist-sasha-johnson-in-critical-condition-after-gunshot-to-the-head

[Layzeebeaver]

15. As a former Detroiter and now UK resident, I'm saddened...

From the article... /Snip

DCI 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.”

He said detectives are making “good progress” in hunting the attackers but they need help from the public and it is “crucial” that anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday or who has heard information since then get in touch.

Tele added: “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.”

No arrests have so far been made.

/end snip

[malaise]

16. Gun crimes are rare in Britain

That's for sure

[vanlassie]

22. And LOTS of CCTV.

[lapucelle]

18. Sky News and BBC links

https://news.sky.com/story/black-lives-matter-activist-sasha-johnson-in-critical-condition-after-suffering-gunshot-wound-to-the-head-12315288

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-57223755

[Treefrog]

25. This happened in England.

In “early morning hours at a house party.”

[COL Mustard]

21. Sad News.

[niyad]

23. . . .

[FakeNoose]

26. Oh my goodness, she's 27 and the mother of three small children

Prayers for her safe recovery

[marble falls]

27. Shocked. Walking up on a mother of three. What kind of animal does that?

[Kath2]

29. Just awful.

I hope she has a complete recovery. Disgusting event.

[spooky3]

30. Fuckers. I hope arrests are made soon. Wishes for her full recovery. Nt

[elias7]

31. My stupid NH town has fought a formal anti-hate statement because it's "political".

This is real life and people need to acknowledge that they care much less about this death and the family she left behind because her skin is a different color than their own. This is about contempt, hatred and fear over longstanding caste divisions originating with slavery and never having left us.

[llashram]

45. +

[Loryn]

32. .

[bdamomma]

33. so sad

the world is full of contempt and hate.

[H2O Man]

35. No words

[Blue Owl]

36. K&R for visibility

[malaise]

40. BBC Analysis

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-57223755

Tributes on social media have been pouring in from all over the world since the shocking attack on the young mother.

Tamika Mallory, a well-known US activist posted on her Instagram account: "Pull through sis! People think it's a game out here. Smh. #SashaJohnson", while Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy tweeted: "This is gut wrenching. Praying for Sasha Johnson, her family and friends that she makes a full recovery #BlackLivesMatter".

And Harriet Harman, the Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham, tweeted: "Whoever carried out this dreadful shooting of Sasha Johnson needs to be caught quickly. Give any info you have to MPSSouthwark. Reported death threats will need to be investigated. Wishing her a full recovery. With thanks to the NHS for much needed expertise and care."

Ms Johnson was a well known anti-racism campaigner who organised a Black Lives Matter protest last summer, in her home city of Oxford.

Many have praised her courage and determination to stand up for the rights of black people, tirelessly calling out injustices and inequality.

[c-rational]

39. No words

[llashram]

41. seems

there is always someone trying to make this all about black-on-black violence before all information is known, if ever. But I forget POC are so violent... White terrorism is a fact. Well laid out as a plan-1-6-2021.

If that mob had been able to install trump as their fascist leader...many more people-leaders such as this BLM activist WOULD BE DEAD...now...here and around the world.

[malaise]

42. The other point is that there are always

people willing to do deeds for the real enemies.
I'll wait for the details on this one

[llashram]

43. +

[certainot]

44. i wonder how much rw radio they have there - like india, brazil, mexico, US

rw radio here is basically KKK-lite

[Celerity]

50. There is nothing (in terms of terrestrial radio) in the UK like the US has.

Michael Savage, for instance, has been banned for life from the UK (as in physically banned) since 2009 as a purveyor of hate speech.

We (I am a London-raised UK citizen) also have FAR more strict libel and slander laws than the US has.

[certainot]

53. good to hear that! i think it is much more effective with larger rural areas not touched by city

influence and here the 95% monopoly power is so dominant.

UK citizens are probably a lot more politically savy and in general better educated.

[Celerity]

55. oh, oh, oh, you would often be disappointed in that assumption, far too often for my comfort

UK citizens are probably a lot more politically savy and in general better educated.

Education as a whole, perhaps, but far too many people have been failed. As for savvy, its a coin toss in far too many cases. I am not the best to fully flesh it all out, as I lived my entire like in the IK inside of Zone 1 in London, thus have a very skewed (for the better I truly hope, lol) outlook in terms of opportunities, education, worldview, diversity, etc etc etc.

Sweden, where we live now, is a much easier call. Far better, on balance, in both education and political savviness (including a better understanding of US politics than what I would say the majority of Americans have.) I am a natural gadfly, and as a trained academic, I always find myself in some deep conversations with a wide range of socio-economic, socio-cultural diverse people. I ended up having a 3 hour conversation with a Serbian-born bus driver over coffee (I was the last on the bus and his shift was over), for example. I have now tutored his daughter for free several times (they offered to pay but I said absolutely not, as I am huge believer in 'pay-it-forward' due to my upbringing and my nature) during the pandemic, as she too wants to study economic history.

[certainot]

57. i am routinely amazed at how detached from politics my US friends and acquaintances are

but "probably a lot more politically savy" may be a bit much.

i grew up foreign including 5 years in australia and as a long time observer of rw radio i see there is a huge disinformation component woven into the US population regardless of general levels of education, including friends in 'upper' professions who may watch or read 1/2 hour of news in a day, don't get rw radio or fox, but have been certain in basic political views that might as well have come from limbaugh

[Treefrog]

56. It doesn't appear to be right wingers.

Local news and police are saying 4 black men.

[Grins]

46. Shot? In the UK?

Wow.

Other source:

”Detectives are investigating whether somebody else at the gathering was the intended target, and Johnson was hit by mistake, or whether the shooting was indiscriminate.

The police do not believe the shooting was targeted or linked to her activism at this stage.”

[malaise]

47. Truth will out

[AllyCat]

48. WTH???

[left-of-center2012]

49. Did y'all read the linked article? "nothing to suggest that it had been a targeted attack"

A Met police statement said there was nothing to suggest that it had been a targeted attack.

It is believed the shooting occurred in the vicinity of a house where a party was taking place and a number of people may have been in the area.

A spokesperson said that, while the investigation was at an early stage,
there was nothing to suggest it was a targeted attack or that the woman had received any credible threats against her before this incident.

[Treefrog]

51. Lol, Du gonna du.

Her friends even say it was likely a gang attack not aimed at her.

[BobTheSubgenius]

52. It is of no comfort whatsoever that these abominable acts happen in other places as well, is it?

I really have nothing of value to add to this thread.

All my best to Sasha Johnson and her family.

[malaise]

58. Am hearing that she was hit by a stray bullet

Waiting for confirmation

[Treefrog]

59. Please keep us updated.

I won’t hold my breath however. I’ve already read the local police and news reports.

[Hortensis]

60. Please let her still have her mind and able to be a mother to her children. nt

[Treefrog]

61. True enough.

He added that although the facts of the shooting were still being established, "whether it was targeted or [whether] she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, the fact is, nobody is spraying bullets into white communities, but it's a regular occurrence within the Black community. We should be very concerned about that kind of activity."

[malaise]

62. Actually it is not regular in any community in Britain n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

63. Five arrested after shooting of Sasha Johnson in Peckham

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to the shooting of the activist Sasha Johnson in Peckham, south London, on Sunday.

The Met police said officers based in Southwark and Lambeth stopped a 17-year-old on Tuesday and arrested him on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Their investigation led them to an address in Peckham where three more males – an 18-year-old, a 19-year-old and a 28-year-old – were all arrested on suspicion of affray and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

A fifth male, aged 25, was arrested on suspicion of affray and failing to stop for police later on Tuesday after a police pursuit of a car in Peckham. They were all subsequently arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remain in custody.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/26/arrests-made-in-relation-to-sasha-johnson-peckham-shooting

[malaise]

64. Thanks

[muriel_volestrangler]

65. Humanity is shit: 1000s of YouTube comments on Sky Australia video celebrate activist shot in head

Sky News Australia’s YouTube channel has published more than 9,000 comments mostly celebrating and mocking the shooting of a Black Lives Matter activist in Britain who is fighting for her life.

The racist and violent comments, which could be described as hate speech, appear below a short video news report uploaded on Monday about the activist Sasha Johnson. Johnson remains in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to her head in an incident in south London.
...
Sky News and YouTube were alerted to the comments on Monday but they remained online days later. A spokeswoman for Sky News told Guardian Australia the channel was not responsible for the publication of the comments.

“Sky News Australia published a brief news report on the recent shooting of Sasha Johnson,” a spokesperson said. “Sky News Australia is not the author of user comments on the YouTube platform. We suggest you direct your inquiries to Google.”

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/may/27/thousands-of-youtube-comments-on-sky-news-australia-video-celebrate-blm-activist-being-shot-in-head

[malaise]

66. I agree with you 100%

A significant part of humanity is shit