A memorial to Cherry Groce, 35 years after her shooting sparked the Brixton Riot of 1985, is set to be unveiled this autumn.  

Dorothy ‘Cherry’ Groce was shot by police after they raided her house looking for her son.

She was paralysed from the waist down.

Two days of riots ensued as the community protested institutional racism and systemic injustice faced by Black people. 

In 2011, Mrs Groce contracted an infection which led to kidney failure, and she passed away on Easter Sunday.  

It was only in March 2014 that the Met Police apologised for the wrongful shooting – in July of that year an inquest jury concluded that eight police failures had contributed to Mrs Groce’s death.  

Over the years and despite all odds, we as a community have never faltered in our pursuit for justice

The memorial will be in Windrush Square, Brixton.  

Wandsworth Times:

Designed by world-renowned architect Sir David Adjaye, it “will act as a beacon of hope in the pursuit of equality, justice and truth,” the council said.  

Mrs Groce’s son, Lee Lawrence, who witnessed his mother’s shooting at the age of 11, said: “The 35th anniversary of my mum’s shooting is a poignant time for our community.  

“Over the years and despite all odds, we as a community have never faltered in our pursuit for justice. 

“And whilst we still face enormous challenges, coupled with the impact of a pandemic, our plans for the memorial remain firm.   

“The memorial will serve as a living legacy to a woman who never doubted the power of truth nor the spirit of community.  

“We believe it will both honour and inspire a community that seeks to live in harmony.” 

Cherry’s shooting was a hugely traumatic incident, not only for her and her family, but the wider community and symbolised the broken relationship between the police and the Black community not only here in Lambeth but also across the country

Councillor Jack Hopkins, Lambeth Council leader, said: “This is an important anniversary for our community, and a fitting memorial to Cherry Groce and we must use this as an opportunity to highlight her life story and to not forget our history and past events as we continue the fight for equality. 

“Cherry’s shooting was a hugely traumatic incident, not only for her and her family, but the wider community and symbolised the broken relationship between the police and the Black community not only here in Lambeth but also across the country.  

“Despite the suffering experienced, her family have worked incredibly hard to create a lasting positive legacy in which this new memorial plays an important role for their generation and future generations.” 

Cllr Sonia Winifred, Lambeth’s Cabinet member for Equalities and Culture, said: “This council is committed to seeing this memorial in place because it is an important symbol of inclusion both for our communities, and wider society. 

“In support of the Black Lives Matter campaign, I am leading an audit of all landmarks, statues and works of art in public spaces in Lambeth for their links to slavery, colonialism and the oppression of Black and Minority Ethnic communities. 

“We must continue to educate, discuss and really deeply consider our public landmarks, statues and works of art and culture more widely.  

“This memorial will stand in tribute to that objective as we honestly and transparently look at discrimination and its history.”