Many people in the current climate might hesitate before taking a flight to New York City, but Brenda Weinberg is the sort of person who meets challenges head on, writes Gavin McGregor.

The former nurse from Tooting flew out this week to meet New Yorkers in exactly her own situation: they are the bereaved relatives of people who died in police custody. She will also see the film of her struggle, entitled Injustice, shown at a New York film festival.

It is a struggle that has reshaped Brenda Weinberg's life since the death of her brother, Brian Douglas, six years ago.

Brian, who lived in Streatham with his fiancee, was stopped by two police officers in Clapham on May 3, 1995, and later died in St Thomas's Hospital from a severe skull fracture after spending 15 hours in a Kennington police cell.

He died before his mother, Jasmine Elvie, was able to arrive from Jamaica.

Those facts are undisputed, but other details pieced together by witnesses and by medical evidence were contradicted by the statements of the two policemen.

They claimed Brian dropped a knife when confronted, though none was found.

They also claimed Brian was struck on the shoulder and that the baton slid up to connect with his head, but the pathologist said the blow to his skull had to be direct, with the force of the blow equivalent to him being dropped on his head from a distance of 11 times his own height.

He was finally taken into hospital when it was noticed that one side of his face had frozen in a condition called Bell's Palsy. He was brain dead within days, and the family took the heart-wrenching decision to stop his respirator.

Brian's family were dismayed when the Crown Prosecution Service declared despite the facts that had come to light, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the police officers. The inquest jury, 10 of whom were white, also returned a nine to two verdict of "misadventure".

Brenda Weinberg, shocked at what she saw as a system actively working against bereaved families, threw herself into a campaign not only to bring Brian's case to trial but to change the system itself.

With the mother of Joy Gardner - who died in July 1993 after being gagged and restrained with a body belt while being served with a deportation order - she formed the United Families and Friends Campaign, which has dominated her life ever since.

Contacting other families in similar circumstances, they have formed a vital support network and a dedicated campaigning group, marching on Downing Street every October and working to make changes to investigation, inquest and coroners' procedures.

Their story is told by Injustice - a controversial film, to say the least.

Filmmaker Ken Fero says this is not only because the accused policemen are named, but because "it's about whether the people of this country will be told that the police are capable of murder".

Ken Fero and Brenda Weinberg believe the authorities have closed ranks to prevent this idea from spreading.

"No government," said Fero, "wants to believe this is possible because we need police to fight crime and everyone wants to feel safe on the streets.

"If you say some of the danger is from the police, you're questioning some of the fundamentals of society."

The Police Federation, which represents the police force's rank and file, says the film is potentially defamatory.

Its lawyers have contacted many cinemas planning to show the film to warn of possible legal action. Some have gone ahead, and have heard nothing more. Others felt they couldn't take the risk, and so pulled Injustice from their screens.

Brixton's Ritzy was pressured into showing the film recently after a flood of complaints about its cancellation.

Brenda described one aborted screening in Manchester: "The manager was embarrassed and apologetic. The audience had turned up, and the cinema was almost full. So some people from a nearby squat got together a video and speakers and everyone trouped across.

"It was sweltering hot, there were floorboards missing, but we managed to fit 150 or more into that caf. Cinema staff helped to carry chairs over.

"And when they played the film you could have heard a pin drop. It was not the converted we were preaching to, but they all wanted to help and to donate.

"I've never been hugged and kissed by so many strangers!"

Now, amid signs that the Police Federation is changing its tactics ("We're not sending any more letters," said a spokesman), Injustice is getting a West End screening.

The Prince Charles Cinema, off Leicester Square, will show the film tonight, and on December 2 and 5, with a longer run possible, and a Q&A session after the second showing. It is unlikely that Brenda Weinberg has stopped to congratulate herself on this. Her only goal is justice for her brother, which still appears a long way off.

* Tickets for Injustice at the Prince Charles Cinema can be bought from the box office on 020 7494 3654.

Further details are available by logging on to the website below.

November 30, 2001 12:30