Episode 1: The Fuse is Lit

The Brixton uprising sparks a summer of discontent as rioting breaks out across the country - this is no longer just about Brixton. Questions start being asked: Why is this really happening? What are the causes? Britain is forced to start acknowledging racism, discrimination and prejudice across society. It’s the start of a conversation which is still being had today. This podcast includes strong language, use of racist terms and descriptions of violence. ---------- Credits Presenter: Big Narstie Producers: Helen Clifton and Ingrid Kelly Editor: Gail Champion Executive Producer: Natasha Johansson Sound Design: Wayne Parkes and Sam Turner Additional production: Jane Andrews and Annabel Deas Research: Derrick Bennett and Imogen Rhodes With thanks to Paul Field Series Producer: Ben Robinson Series Editor: Gail Champion

Molotov cocktails, burning buildings, police cars smashed, running battles on the streets - London has never seen anything like this. Brixton explodes in an orgy of violence fuelled by a boiling sense of anger and injustice among the black community. This podcast includes strong language, use of racist terms and descriptions of violence. ==================== Credits Presenter: Big Narstie Producer Ben Robinson Editor: Gail Champion Executive Producer: Natasha Johansson Sound Design: Richard Hannaford Additional production: Jane Andrews and Annabel Deas. Research: Derrick Bennett and Imogen Rhodes Additional Archive: The Museum of London With thanks to Paul Field Series Producer Ben Robinson Series Editor: Gail Champion

There is fury at a lack of compassion shown by the authorities to the victims of the New Cross Fire. Many are convinced it was a racist firebombing and accuse the police of failing to investigate properly. Thousands of people from across the country descend on London for a march to demand justice. Organisers say more than 20,000 people take part in the Black People’s Day of Action - at the time the biggest ever protest led by black people in the UK. This podcast includes strong language, use of racist terms and descriptions of violence. ==================== Credits Presenter: Big Narstie Producers: Helen Clifton and Ingrid Kelly Editor: Gail Champion Sound Design: Wayne Parkes and Sam Turner Additional production: Jane Andrews and Annabel Deas Research: Derrick Bennett and Imogen Rhodes With thanks to Paul Field Dramatisation By Roy Williams Tony Cealy played by Sheyi Cole Produced by Lorna Newman and Simon Highfield Series Producer: Ben Robinson Series Editor: Gail Champion

A birthday party ends in tragedy when 13 young people die in a house fire. People are convinced it has been caused by a racist arson attack. They feel their grief is compounded by a lack of compassion shown by the authorities. It feels like black lives don’t matter. The aftermath fuels the anger that will lead to the riots in Brixton just months later. This podcast includes strong language, use of racist terms and descriptions of violence. ==================== Credits: Presenter: Big Narstie Producers: Helen Clifton and Ingrid Kelly Executive Producer: Natasha Johansson Editor: Gail Champion Sound Design: Wayne Parkes and Sam Turner Additional production: Jane Andrews and Annabel Deas Research: Derrick Bennett and Imogen Rhodes Digital Producers: Stuart Birch, Eleanor Layhe and John Watts Story Consultant: John Yorke With thanks to Paul Field Series Producer: Ben Robinson Series Editor: Gail Champion

Sound systems. Reggae. Blues parties. Music pulses through Brixton - it’s a way of life and provides an escape from a tough world. But police are raiding parties which ratchets up resentment against the authorities.