"More radical celluloid education from the Easton Cowfolk Film Club! Racial injustice is the untreated tumour growing at the heart of the legal system, and no one can testify to this more than Satpal Ram. He’s joined by friend and fellow activist John Bowden, presenting a fresh documentary look at the mishandling of evidence in his trial and his gross mistreatment during 20 years in prison."
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A event on Monday 18th May. The event starts at 18:15.
AFTER EIGHT The Story of Satpal Ram
Presented by Easton Cowfolk Radical Film Club
A powerful documentary and discussion exploring racism, resistance, and the fight for justice.
This evening centres the story of Satpal Ram, whose case became one of the UK’s most high-profile miscarriages of justice during the 1990s.
In 1986, Satpal Ram was subjected to a racist attack in a Birmingham curry house after white men directed racial abuse towards him and objected to Indian music being played. During the violence, Satpal defended himself against an assault involving a glass. One of the attackers later died, and Satpal was sentenced to life imprisonment. It later emerged that the man who died had refused medical attention but this information – along with other key facts –was not considered in the case.
His trial was marked by serious injustice. Key witnesses were not properly heard, language interpretation was denied to Indian witnesses, and Satpal himself was never fully able to tell his version of events to the jury. His case sparked widespread support both inside and outside of prison, becoming a major anti-racist and prison justice campaign.
While imprisoned, Satpal endured racist abuse, repeated beatings, prolonged solitary confinement and was transferred between prisons more than 80 times. Despite this, he remained outspoken against prison brutality and continued resisting the conditions imposed upon him. Imprisoned at just 20 years old, he would spend 24 years of his life behind bars.
The documentary explores both the devastating human impact of suffering such injustice and the collective struggle for justice, dignity and freedom.
The evening will include a screening of the documentary followed by a discussion and Q&A with Satpal Ram and John Bowden, who spent 40 years in prison. He left unbroken and unyielding despite decades of repression and brutality.
Satpal and John first met in Hull prison in the late 1990s and bonded through their shared resistance to the prison system. John has spoken widely about Satpal’s strength, political commitment, and determination to fight not only for his own freedom, but for others experiencing state violence and repression.
The documentary also features music connected to the campaign - Free Satpal Ram by Asian Dub Foundation.
Find the powerful song here:
< u>https://youtu.be/fusmcAo7JxA?si=on-V_TFHqnSHx3oq< /u>
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
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