Gathering at David's Graveside for #DavidOluwale50th
Event Information
Description
PLEASE CHECK PARKING AND TOILET ARRANGEMENTS BELOW
We invite you to join with us in remembering David Oluwale's life and tragic death, exactly 50 years ago on this date, by gathering with us at his graveside in Killingbeck cemetery at 10am.
A coach has been booked for those who don't have their own transport. Detalis below. If you do come in your own car, you will need to park in the supermarket estate (Asda, B&Q etc) adjacent to the cemetery. We will come together in praise and in sorrow, with music and spoken reflections.
Ours will be a small gathering, to give due respect to famly burials taking place in the cemetery at the same time.
David Oluwale was last seen in the early hours of 18th April 1969. His body was found at Knostrop Weir, in the River Aire, on 4th May. He was placed in a pauper's grave in Killingbeck Cemetery shortly afterwards. Exactly 50 years after his death, we will gather at his graveside in his memory. There will be gospel songs from members of the Nigerian Community in Leeds. Their President, Victoria Ajayi, will speak. The #RememberOluwale chair, The Rt Hon John Battle, will say a few words.
The musician Juwon Ogungbe will play his mbira. A trio from #NigerianCommunityLeeds will sing. After the songs and speeches, there will be time for personal reflections.
We urge everyone who can make the time to join us in grief and indignation at this solemn and joyful assembly. We want to remind the world that this man's life is valued and his cruel death is protested, while we pledge that we will work tirelessly with all those who are making Leeds a hospitable city that welcomes, values and cares for everyone, whatever their origin or status.
If you would like a place on the coach, please book your ticket on the link. It will leave the parking bay on Kirkgate very close to Leeds Minster (formerly Leeds Parish Church) at 9.30 promptly. The coach will drop us at the entrance to Killingbeck Cemetery cemetery and we will walk together (about 200 yards) to the graveside. Others are invited to make their own way to the graveside, preferably by walking with us from the entrance to the cemetery. There is no parking at the cemetery, so please use the supermarket site on the left of York Road just before your reach the cemetery. David's grave is to the left of the Chapel of Rest on the hill.
There are no public toilets at the cemetery but you will find them in Asda or B&Q where some of our party will be parking.
This is one of a series of events tagged #DavidOluwale50th commemorating his death and using the arts to campaign for full social inclusion and compassion in Leeds. The other events are listed on Eventbrite and on the Remember Oluwale Facebook Events page.
[Was David killed by two Leeds policemen? We believe David Condon, the witness who said in Leeds Crown court in 1971 that he saw, in the early morning on his way to work, someone who looked like David being pursued by two men in police uniform along The Calls, close to Leeds Bridge and the River Aire. Only two officers, Inspector Ellerker and Sergeant Kitching, among almost 1,000 in the Leeds police force, were unable to account for where they were at that time. Ellerker and Kitching were jailed for persistently assaulting David as he slept rough in the city centre, including on the night of 18th April. But they were acquitted of his manslaughter, because the judge said Condon's evidence wasn't reliable.]