We were pleased to be able to bring the film Dangerous Associations online accompanied by a discussion on Thu 2 July.
You can now watch the film, an introduction from Gary Younge, and a recording of the discussion panel below.
An Introduction
Gary Younge recorded an introduction to the below documentary, recorded in June 2020. The award-winning journalist and author says, “This incredibly powerful film… tells a story which should make you livid, should make your blood boil… The lives of young people destroyed not because of what they did, but because of who they are.”
The Documentary Film
This short film, Dangerous Associations was created by local filmmaker Colin Stone and reflects upon the use of Joint Enterprise within our criminal justice system. Drawing on the research from Manchester Metropolitan University, the film examines why so many convicted under this common law are young, black men.
At the end of the film there is a family statement from Manchester family group NGBA and a campaign message from JENGbA.
The film features an original piece of spoken word by local artist Reece Williams, the excerpt below is taken from the poem.
‘Lady Justice has been peeping through her blindfold, the outcome pre-meditated.
Her judgement seemingly predicated on prejudices that predate her statutes.
Let’s criminalise the black youth. Let’s criminalise the black youth.
Who said you are not your brother’s keeper?
We find you guilty by association.’
A Panel Discussion
A webinar panel event held following the films first public screening featured Temi Mwale; Adam Elliot-Cooper; Stephen Akinsanya and Becky Clarke. They reflect upon the issues raised within the documentary and respond to audience questions.
Joint Enterprise is racialised, outdated and effectively targeting groups of young people in our city and beyond. It is a Victorian law that has re-emerged in England and Wales enabling the conviction by association of multiple individuals for one offence.
Dangerous Associations highlights the issues young people and families are facing because of this law.
Working with Manchester Met, Sites of Resistance, we held a discussion panel with:
Dr Kathryn Chadwick (chair) is part of the Sites of Resistance Collective at Manchester Met.
Adam Elliot-Cooper is a research associate in sociology at the University of Greenwich. He sits on the board of The Monitoring Group http://www.tmg-uk.org/
Temi Mwale is a racial justice campaigner and the Founding Director of The 4Front Project, a member-led youth organisation. https://www.temimwale.com/
Stephen Akinsanya has been in private practice as a criminal barrister for 25 years and is a member of Great James Street Chambers in London. http://www.stephenakinsanya.com/
Becky Clarke is a researcher and teaches out of MMU Sociology Department, co-author of ‘Dangerous Associations: Joint enterprise, gangs and racism’ https://sitesofresistance.org/