Crouch End victim of police brutality remembered by community

Joy Gardner died in 1993 but there has not been an official inquest into her death, reports Olivia Opara

The Tottenham community have gathered in remembrance of Joy Gardner’s death 30 years ago.

On Friday, 28th July, Joy Gardner’s family, the Joy Gardner Memorial campaign, Migrant Media and the Malcolm X Movement hosted a community event to mark the 30th anniversary of Joy Angela Gardner’s death.

The event was attended by many across the Tottenham community and beyond including families who have lost loved ones to police brutality. Throughout the event, many speakers spoke about the history of the Metropolitan Police and the community, remembering the deaths of many including Roger Sylvester and Mark Duggan alongside Joy. Speakers also spoke about the “lack of accountability” within the Met and how this has caused harm for black people in the UK.

Speaking at the event, Joy’s mother Myrna Simpson said: “I am so lost for words. I am very sad at this moment and it has been 30 years since I lost Joy.

“The way they killed her – suffocated her and killed her and [the Met] will have to give account for everyone, every child, they have killed.

“I am missing my daughter every day, every moment – especially at Christmas, mother’s day and birthdays.

“She did not commit any crime, yet they took her life and I just want her to rest in peace.”

On 28th July 1993, five Met officers burst into Joy’s Crouch End home in an attempt to deport her. The officers, from the now suspended Alien Deportation Group (ADG), bound her hands and feet with a leather belt and manacles and wrapped 13 feet of surgical tape around her head. Following the incident, Joy was rushed to hospital but she died six days later, aged 40.

It is now 30 years on and Joy’s mother and her family are still seeking answers from the Met as there has not been an official inquest into her case.

Also speaking at the event was Roger’s mother, Sheila Sylvester, who has also been campaigning for justice for her son.

“It was -9 degrees as the life was squeezed out of Roger under the weight of eight people and it still haunts us today,” said Sheila.

“Life without Roger has left us wounded and the state has put us through an art form of delay – designed to frustrate us in hope that we will go away.

“The state foals to realise that we are mothers who want the best for our children. Rest in peace Joy and Roger and the others that have been taken.”

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