Construction of the Windrush Square memorial to Cherry Groce is to begin within weeks – with completion due to coincide with the 35th anniversary of her shooting by police in September 1985. An unveiling ceremony is planned for Autumn.
The shooting of Cherry Groce, in her home in Normandy Road, Brixton, sparked riots.
The memorial has been designed by the world-famous architect Sir David Adjaye whose firm is also responsible for the 19-storey office block that the owners of Brixton’s covered markets want to build on Popes Road.
The memorial will be delivered by the Cherry Groce Foundation. Established in 2014, it supports marginalised Black, Caribbean and African communities who continue to be discriminated against.
It offers practical services, including community transport, and seeks to assist in social and restorative justice, provide education and guidance in overcoming adversity.
The foundation said that, despite suffering life-changing and life-limiting injuries caused by the police shooting, the experiences and memory of Cherry Groce “epitomise the daily struggle which reflects a large proportion of our community”.
Cherry Groce, then 37, was shot in the shoulder, leaving her paralysed from the chest down. She died of kidney failure in 2011. In 2014 a inquest jury found that police failures contributed to her death.
“As a continuous source of inspiration, an example of resilience and strength, her spirit and courageousness envelopes not only the heart of Brixton, but also the wider community, and it is these values that are at the very core of the foundation,” it said.
“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.”
Sir David Adjaye said: “The construction of this memorial will speak to restorative justice and will symbolise that what matters to the community, matters to London and the whole world.
“This tragedy went too long in the public realm without acknowledgement and there is now renewed urgency and importance in finally facing this history.”
A GoFundMePage has been set up for donations towards the cost of constructing and installing the memorial.
More at the Cherry Groce Foundation
