Art Not Evidence
Wednesday 10th January 2024
18.00 – 20.00hrs
House of Commons, Houses of Parliament, Palace of Westminster, Saint Margaret Street, London, UK
Increasingly, music lyrics and videos are being introduced as evidence in criminal proceedings. In particular, writing, performing, and even engaging with rap music is used as evidence against young Black people in controversial ‘joint enterprise’ and conspiracy prosecutions. Often, these creative expressions have no connection to the serious crimes alleged and are used to paint a misleading and prejudicial picture, conflating art with evidence.
Rap is one of the most popular genres of music across the country, and a powerful cultural force. The indiscriminate use of rap as evidence, without due regard for the conventions and culture of the genre, not only undermines the positive aspects of the genre, denying its status as an art form and stifling creativity, but also is unfair, perpetuates harmful racist stereotypes, and creates a risk of wrongful conviction.
Our mission is to fight for a fairer legal system by advocating for a restriction on the use of creative and artistic expression as evidence in criminal trials. We believe that art, including rap music, should be protected as a fundamental form of freedom of expression and should not be used to unfairly implicate individuals in criminal charges.
We are honoured to be joined by Nadia Whittome MP highlighting the importance of this campaign. A selection of experts will discuss the cultural significance and subsequent criminalisation of rap, and the legal reform needed to limit the admissibility of creative expression as evidence in court. Talks will be followed by Q&A with additional panel members and the audience.
If you have reserved a ticket but are no longer able to attend, please let us know asap so we can offer the ticket to someone on the waitlist.
Speakers & Panellists:
Jodie Beck – Policy and Campaigns Officer, Liberty
Dr Lambros Fatsis – Senior Lecturer in Criminology, City University of London
Keir Monteith KC – Garden Court Chambers
Professor Erik Nielson – Co-author of Rap on Trial and Professor of Liberal Arts, University of Richmond
Adèle Oliver – Author of Deeping It: Colonialism, Culture and Criminalisation of UK Drill
Dr Abenaa Owusu-Bempah – Associate Professor of Law, LSE
Nadia Whittome – Labour MP, Nottingham East
Costs
Silk £0.00 +7 Years £0.00 -7 Years £0.00 Pupil £0.00 Non Member £0.00