Lawyers are considering a boycott of Stratford Magistrates’ Court in East London after up to five security guards reportedly pinned down a Black solicitor, Dele Johnson, and ignored his pleas that he could not breathe.
The incident has sparked outrage among legal professionals, with some drawing parallels to the tragic death of George Floyd, according to the DailyMail.
Johnson, a duty solicitor, was attending the court on May 1 to represent a client when he encountered issues with security staff. After stepping outside for a cigarette break, he was asked to undergo a second pat-down search upon reentry.
While he agreed to the search, he refused to remove his shoes, which led to a confrontation. Johnson claims he was forcibly removed and later blocked from entering a courtroom. When he attempted to enter through another door, he says security guards grabbed him by the neck and arms and eventually pinned him to the ground.
“There were quite a few grown men on my back. Their knees were on my arms, legs, and back. I have asthma, and my chest was being pushed to the floor, so I was struggling to breathe,” Johnson told reporters. “I never thought I’d also be saying, ‘I can’t breathe.’ I was just trying to do my job.”
The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA) has called for the suspension of the guards involved in Johnson’s case and warned of a potential boycott if their concerns are not addressed.
#Clique, thoughts?
