“Our stories aren’t just stories of private grief but of public concern.”

About the Book

With fifteen years’ experience in social justice advocacy, I was in an unusually privileged position to make my voice heard when my worst nightmare came true and someone I never thought I’d have to live without was killed by the state. Now I’m working with other bereaved survivors to create a shared platform for us to tell our stories in a way that empowers us, honours our loved ones and demands justice for all of us.

A testament to immeasurable grief.
A rallying cry against indifference.
A stark portrait of how the British state is killing us,
and those left behind fight for justice for all of us.

It is a particularly devastating grief to lose someone you love to a system that dwarfs you, will outlive you and does not acknowledge the loss but rolls right over it, as though it never happened. The inquest system is supposed to investigate state-related deaths to expose unsafe practices and abuses of power to prevent future deaths. But all too often, it does the opposite, retraumatising families, protecting the state and producing nothing but empty promises that lessons will be learned.

Losing someone you love to the state you live under is an experience so definitive that it cannot be understood from the outside. Yet these stories, as inspiring as they are devastating, speak to the preciousness and precarity of all lives lived under a system which segregates and dehumanises us all. Ultimately, this is is a book about justice for all of us and the power of over death and oppression.

Contribute

As part of my commitment to collaborative writing, I’ve put a call out for potential contributors. If you’re interested in telling your story – your way – please do consider applying. Anyone grieving a state-related death* and fighting for justice is eligible.

“It’s really easy talking with Marienna – she is a great listener. She let’s you go at your own pace, makes spaces for breaks when things get emotional and most importantly, she understands my story because she and her family have been through something similar.” 

– Anna, contributor.

*State related doesn’t necessarily mean in state care – if you feel the actions or inaction of any state agencies including the police contributed to your loved ones death then you are eligible to apply.

Partnership with INQUEST

INQUEST is an incredible charity which supports families bereaved by state-related death and campaigns for truth, justice and accountability. They help support families to get their voices heard, find legal representation and campaign for change. Their support for the book – like all their support – means the world.