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Original poster

Poor Stephen Lawrence

136 replies

Merryoldgoat · 17/04/2018 23:54

I’m watching the Stephen Lawrence documentary. I’m only about half an hour in and I can’t bear it.

I just think about my boys upstairs and can’t imagine how his parents and his friend must feel.

It’s just so awful.

OP posts:
DamsonOnThisDress · 17/04/2018 23:59

That was a very tough watch. His family were treated appallingly by the police.

Very sad.

doubleshotespresso · 17/04/2018 23:59

I know what you mean- I think anybody in London particularly is haunted by this, the tragedy for this family was relentless and they were so monumentally failed it is almost unbelievable.

The dignity his father has shown is truly breath-taking....

I remember being at university when the trial was held and every morning for months, the media circus and 100's of Nation of Islam men were there-I remember it being a very tense and very intimidating time, cannot imagine what the Lawrence family must have felt at such a horrendous time of their lives.

JediJim · 27/04/2018 21:00

Such a waste of life. Poor parents still suffering, obviously. Neville Lawrence even moved to Jamaica as he couldn’t face living here anymore.
Three of those scum bags are still free and swanning around without a care in the world. The only crime Stephen committed was to be at that bus stop at that particular time..

Smeddum · 27/04/2018 21:04

One thing I noticed in the documentary (apart from the awful police officers, so smug and dismissive) was that so many people just weren’t listening to Doreen Lawrence.

The riots, the melee at the inquest, all these people just hijacking her son’s death and she didn’t want any of it. No violence, no threats, just truth and justice.

When she spoke saying “I am Stephen’s mother and when I speak I expect you to respect me” I had goosebumps. She is a force for good that woman, in the face of the most appalling failures and racist bullying, she rose above them all to speak the truth and fight for justice.

If that isn’t spectacular I don’t know what is.

I hope we live to see the other 3 convicted.

JediJim · 27/04/2018 21:12

The thing is, the forensic evidence convicted two of the gang, Stephens blood on their clothing. However, it’s possible that the actual killer is neither of them. Which makes them scott free (for now atleast).

SaltireSaltire · 27/04/2018 21:13

So brilliant the way the parents kept pushing for justice despite so many with power - police, media, legal system trying to block their path. Great respect.
The murderous cowardly scum bags and their scummy families still free to poison everything they touch - no positive contribution to life on earth at all.
I feel great sadness for Stephen's family and feel very sorry for honest police officers, forever tainted by their dishonourable colleagues.

SaltireSaltire · 27/04/2018 21:16

.......and why do these murderous so called gangsters think they are tough? 5 armed thugs attacking 1 unarmed lad - really tough eh? Cowards and weaklings the lot of them.

InspMorse · 27/04/2018 21:17

They (the police) simply didn't care and /or did everything in their power to cover up the truth.
An absolutely heartbreaking situation for anyone to be in.

Despite everything, Stephen's legacy will be felt for generations to come thanks to his family.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2018 21:31

The part where they recounted how he wasn’t given first aid or anything as he lay there.

I cried through way too much of that documentary. I just think how scared he must’ve felt. It’s heartbreaking.

OP posts:
Plantlover · 27/04/2018 21:34

Merry

I missed the programme. Why wasn't Stephen given first aid?

NewYearNewMe18 · 27/04/2018 21:34

I've got it taped to watch.

This all happened quite local to me. Stephen was a little younger than me, so yes it resonates.

The filth that's still spouted locally to besmirch that lads name and glorify the 5 is to be believed (same type of unemployed white lighting swigging knuckle draggers who hang round the Lee Rigby flag in Woolwich) - to the point I had a falling out on FB with someone and their racist views, which will make RL quite difficult.

SaltireSaltire · 27/04/2018 21:35

the programme is probably still on catch up.

TheFirstMrsOsmond · 27/04/2018 21:38

It's an excellent documentary - well worth sticking with all 3 parts.
I admire Doreen Lawrence so much - her courage & dignity & persistence.

sothisisspring · 27/04/2018 21:39

It was on catch up yesterday although there was some sort of edit to the third part for legal reasons apparently.

HadronCollider · 27/04/2018 21:41

I can't watch it. Can't bear it.

With regards to the ones who are free and their families, I remember seeing something a guy I saw on youtube said. He said: "Based on my experience as a psychologist, I know no one gets away with anything". What they did will be affecting them and have ripples in ways we can't imagine. I like to think so.

Plantlover · 27/04/2018 21:45

Hadron

I can see why you want to believe that but I doubt it.

HadronCollider · 27/04/2018 21:49

Plantlover
I'm hopingSad

Plantlover · 27/04/2018 21:53

Hadron

I have a Sen child and some of the treatment/ lies they have had from adults, services, those in authority...

I don't know how they live with themselves but they do.

LadyLance · 27/04/2018 21:54

I was quite young when Steven Lawrence was murdered, so the documentaries were really eye opening for me. Doreen Lawrence is such a role model, and so so brave.

I also learnt a lot about the police culture at the time, which was very eye opening.

plantlover it's on catch up, and really worth a watch. Steven possibly wasn't given appropriate first aid because initially his friend thought he was hit with a metal bar rather than stabbed. However, given everything else the police did or didn't do, it's also possible he wasn't given first aid because he was black and the police therefore didn't really see him as a victim.

KERALA1 · 27/04/2018 21:57

Hadron I'm feel the same. I can't bear it. Like the holocaust I know what happened and cannot bear to find out more. I genuinely can't bear it. How any of us would feel if our beloved child was stabbed at a bus stop. So admire both parents.

Figgygal · 27/04/2018 21:58

Really harrowing watch I'm going to watch it again with my husband I have told everyone on Facebook to make the time for it too. We should never forhet what happened with this case.

And how those police officers could continue to refute allegations of institutional racism despite all of the evidence to the contrary was unbelievable

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2018 21:59

@Plantlover

There is no explanation for it. Some police arrived at the scene and Stephen was lying there. They would’ve been first aid trained and had a full kit in the car but it wasn’t used and they didn’t touch him until the ambulance arrived.

It seems unlikely it would’ve made a difference but to not even try - no value was placed on his life at all.

OP posts:
SaltireSaltire · 27/04/2018 22:00

True about the iron bar assumption and true about the police assumption he was part of a gang that was in a fight. (And assumption they made because he was male, young and black).

Can't believe that nobody got down to check his pulse, injury, level of consciousness or even comfort!

eurochick · 27/04/2018 22:00

I grew up in the area and it had a huge impact. I met Neville Lawrence a couple of times. He was friends with friends of my parents. He was absolutely broken by it and it destroyed their marriage.

MrsDoylesTeaBags · 27/04/2018 22:05

I haven't yet watched it. I don't know if I can bear to watch it to be honest.
I was the same age as him when he was murdered and so I remember it so clearly, . It was a disgusting miscarriage of justice and I can't believe that some of his killers are still walking free.
I have so much regard for his parents, their dignity, courage and tenacity are a tribute to him.