British Nigerian Artivist Has His Day in Court

April 27, 2023

Greetings,

I started this newsletter on a motionless train somewhere outside Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, en route to Liverpool from Nottingham, at the end of legal submissions in the trial I was part of as a defendant with a group of activists for Palestine Action. The train was stuck because it “struck a person” on the line. The good news was that after the arrival of an air ambulance, two road ambulances and two fire engines, we were told that the person escaped with only a broken arm. The train driver had to be replaced, and about 90 minutes behind schedule, we were off again. At times like this, one is grateful for good physical and mental health, and for the fact that such an unexpected occurrence was not more serious. Elsewhere, and far away, the train could have been struck by a bomb delivered by one of the drones manufactured in the UK by the arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. As we are a long, long way from Palestine, we can breathe easy. It was a protest outside Elbit’s factory last year that led to my being in court, and the judgement will be delivered next week. I don’t believe I can or should say any more for now, except for two things:

1. There is a bigger, more spectacular, more sustained protest starting Monday, May 1. Details here.

2. I will be doing a longer newsletter next week, including news of the judgement, but this will be available in the first instance only to paid subscribers and patrons(about which, more later).

So, to recent news since the last newsletter. The first item is that I have recently been engaged to headline a fundraising concert for Merseyside Asylum Link, this coming Friday, 28th April. Details here.

Two weeks ago, I was performing in the USA for the first time since COVID, first in a tribute to Paul Robeson in Detroit, and then on tour with a group of musicians in support of Keith LaMar, the Death Row prisoner.  It is a truly remarkable person who from the confines of a solitary confinement cell in a maximum-security facility in Youngstown, Ohio, is able to assemble artists primarily from New York and Ohio, but including one person from South Africa and myself, to use art as a beautiful, powerful counterpoint to the inhumanity and barbarity of the (in)justice system of his country. It was a real pleasure to meet Keith. I will include the text of the monologue I wrote and performed, as well as some reflections, audiovisual stuff and more, in next week’s newsletter, available to paid subscribers and patrons.

Forthcoming Performances

28 April: Headliner, Fundraising Concert for Asylum Link Merseyside
22 May: Just An Ordinary Lawyer @ Lincoln’s Inn, London
22 May (TV): Emmerdale
2 June: Just An Ordinary Lawyer @ Vauxhall Law Centre, Liverpool
9 June: Just An Ordinary Lawyer @ Vauxhall Law Centre, Liverpool
17 June: Paul Robeson – The Giant, In a Nutshell. Birch Community Centre, Manchester
22 June: Just An Ordinary Lawyer @ Liverpool African Caribbean Centre
30 July: Just An Ordinary Lawyer @ EBFringe, Grove Theatre, Eastbourne
5-19 August (odd dates only) Call Mr. Robeson @ Edinburgh Fringe
6-20 August (even dates only) Just An Ordinary Lawyer @ Edinburgh Fringe
12 October Just An Ordinary Lawyer. EICC, Edinburgh

Parting Shot

In earlier newsletters, I used parting shots to share a few reflections on interesting events going on around the world, humorous videos, interesting articles I had read, musings, etc. These were always a joy to do, and I put a lot of work into researching those, and into the newsletter generally. I always got good comments about the newsletters, which is gratifying, because each one takes a few days’ work, and that’s no exaggeration.

I also included requests for assistance, sometimes focused on a particular event. Last time, it was to help fund my travel to participate on the Freedom First tour for Keith LaMar. I am grateful to those who sent something, but they numbered fewer than the fingers of one hand. As a result, I raised only a small percentage of what I spent getting there. This has led me to the decision to offer only the basic news and listings to everybody on my mailing list, and more to those who become paid subscribers and/or patrons on Patreon (or directly), of whom I also have fewer than I would have hoped for.

So if you’d like more than the basics in the future, please do consider supporting me financially in whatever way you can. This includes helping secure bookings for me.

Till the next time, be safe, be well.

Tayo