The latest news, updates and events in Birmingham
Pro-Palestine activists have held an “emergency occupation” of Birmingham New Street Station, protesting against the British government’s “deplorable decision” to suspend funding to UNRWA. Called with less than 24 hours notice, around 100 people gathered on the station concourse yesterday evening (Monday 29 January) to voice their opposition to the UK suspending payments to the UNRWA, the…
Respected British artist Sonia Boyce OBE, whose work has been a regular fixture at Birmingham art galleries, will receive an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University. Boyce, who has been practising art for around forty years, is being recognised for her influential contributions to the Black British art movement and her exploration of race, gender, and…
A new short film called Kaur, produced by talent from the Midlands, tells the story of a British South Asian woman’s decision to wear a turban as part of her Sikh faith despite her father’s misgivings and fears about reprisals. Kaur tackles the uncharted subject matter in a sensitive manner and highlights the social –…
Protests were held today as the Queen’s Baton arrived at Aston Hall in Birmingham on its final stop before entering Alexander Stadium for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony this evening. Around 50 activists from the LGBTQ+ community lined the route in Aston, calling out “state-sanctioned homophobia” in the 35 Commonwealth member states that criminalise homosexuality.
The puppet of Little Amal, the poignant and powerful symbol of refugees and international human rights, is due to make a grand public appearance in Birmingham this week. The 11ft tall puppet will arrive on Thursday 23 June in Victoria Square for a walkabout which will commence around 11:30am.
A Birmingham community cohesion advocate has denounced suggestions by former Prime Minister David Cameron that opposing the government’s Prevent programme “enables terrorism”. In a new report published this week, former PM David Cameron has claimed people who oppose controversial de-radicalisation strategy Prevent are fuelling terrorism, but Mashkura Begum – who is openly critical of Prevent – feels…
The opera world has been devastated after news broke about the death of pioneering director Sir Graham Vick who died from COVID-19 complications on Saturday 17th July. The 67-year-old artistic director of Birmingham Opera Company tragically died of complications arising from COVID-19. The company announced he had been in hospital since June after testing positive…
Thousands of British Sikh protestors arrived in cars and tractors outside the Indian consulate today in the Jewellery Quarter to show solidarity with Punjabi farmers who are battling against controversial new laws in India which threaten livelihoods and human rights. People drove to the rally in cars, trucks, and tractors to show their support for…
A rally of around 500 women has taken place in Birmingham, campaigning in defence of abortion rights in Poland. The pro-choice protest was held in response to Poland’s constitutional tribunal declaring that abortions in instances where a foetus is diagnosed with a serious and irreversible birth defect were unconstitutional.
Proud Brummie Joshua Williams is a journalist, broadcaster, presenter and ambassador for several high-profile community initiatives and corporate brands. He’s also been crowned Mr Birmingham, is an avid fundraising fashionista, a vocal social activist and was elected President at his university’s student guild – and he’s still only 22. We caught up with him to find…