Charges against #KingsCross3 dropped but the fight continues

On 10th July 2024, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) discontinued all charges imposed on Selma Taha, Divina Riggon and Danae Thomas - the #KingsCross3.

While the discontinuance of the racist charges should be celebrated, the #KingsCross3 continue to feel aggrieved at the treatment they’ve received. The case has also demonstrated the depth of the issue of Black women being disbelieved and criminalised when they resist abuse.

Southall Black Sisters (SBS) are campaigning to raise funds to support the #KingsCross3 with their outstanding legal costs in the aftermath of the CPS’ decision to discontinue the charges. Excess funds (if any), will be ring-fenced for future campaigns aimed at tackling and uprooting institutional racism, including for any civil remedies the #KingsCross3 choose to pursue.

The violent racist attack

In September 2023, Selma Taha, Executive Director of SBS, and her friends Divina Riggon and Danae Thomas were verbally and physically assaulted in a racist incident on London public transport. The assailant, a white woman, made monkey sounds and called Selma, Divina and Danae “Black bitches”, and “slaves”. The abuse escalated into physical violence. The attacker pulled clumps of hair off Selma and her friend and bit Selma’s flesh, leaving a deeply embedded imprint of her teeth which necessitated tetanus and hepatitis injections and antibiotics.

An off-duty Metropolitan Detective Constable was present in the tube carriage but failed to intervene to de-escalate the incident. When the train arrived at King’s Cross station, the three women had to challenge the inactivity and apathy of the police officer to treat the matter seriously and arrest the assailant.

Some months later, in a deeply shocking development, the CPS made the following charging decisions:

• No further action is to be taken against the assailant in relation to the assault. In relation to the assailant’s racist abuse, she has been offered and accepted a caution for racially aggravated conduct contrary to s4A of the Public Order Act, in relation to one instance of racist abuse which she has admitted. No further action is to be taken in relation to other instances of racist abuse by her during the incident.

• Selma, Divina and Danae were all charged with common assault by beating.

• Danae had also been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence, in relation to alleged conduct towards a white British Transport Police (BTP) officer on the platform at King's Cross.

• Divina had also been charged with a public order offence, but without the racial aggravation, again in relation to alleged conduct towards the same BTP officer at the tube station after the attack.

In a highly unusual move, the CPS also made applications for special measures for screens and reporting restrictions for anonymity for the police officers involved prior to the trial, which were rightfully denied.

On 2nd July 2024, the CPS partially dropped the racist charges against the #KingsCross3 due to lack of evidence. These being:

• The racially aggravated public order offence charge against Danae, in relation to alleged conduct towards a white British Transport Police (BTP) officer on the platform at King’s Cross.

• The public order offence charge, without the racial aggravation, against Divina, again in relation to alleged conduct towards the same BTP officer at the tube station after the attack.

Until the date of the trial, the CPS intended to pursue prosecution against Selma, Divina and Danae in relation to the charge of common assault by beating. Finally, on the first day of the trial, 10th July 2024, the CPS dropped this charge too due to lack of evidence.

Why we need your support

In the aftermath of the CPS’ decision to discontinue the charges, the #KingsCross3 must discharge outstanding legal costs. Having been let down by the criminal justice system at each stage, the #KingsCross3 are also in the process of considering legal options to hold the Met police, BTP and CPS to account.

Such intervention is crucial as this case has demonstrated the depth of the issue of Black women being disbelieved and criminalised when they resist abuse. At a time of crisis for Black women with data showing Black femicide and other forms of abuse reaching calamitous figures, this case and the treatment of the three Black women involved should send alarm bells ringing. This case also displays how woefully public institutions are failing to protect victim-survivors and underlines the need to ensure that no victim-survivor gets left behind.

We operate in the underfunded violence against women and girls (VAWG) sector. Your financial support will be invaluable in ensuring the #KingsCross3 can meet their outstanding costs and pursue their quest for justice.

Please note that in addition to the £2485 raised via GoFundMe, we have generated an additional £829 through our website totalling £3314. We still need to raise the remainder of the target amount.