Art Not Evidence
artnotevidence.bsky.social
Art Not Evidence
@artnotevidence.bsky.social
Campaigning to stop the misuse of rap music as evidence in criminal trials. Link in bio to sign our open letter calling for law reform 🤝
We urge the government to reform the law, to prevent the misuse of creative expression.
July 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Even bigger thanks to @kimjohnsonmp.bsky.social for speaking about us and our bill in last week’s debate on the Crime and Policing bill, highlighting how rap music is so often used to produce ‘gang narratives’ and introduce racist stereotypes into the courtroom.
June 24, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Thursday 1st May in Manchester: Jailed for 8 Years Over a Group Chat? Challenging Institutional Racism in the Courts.
In this year’s annual lecture at @uomsoss.bsky.social University of Manchester, Keir Monteith KC, Honorary Senior Lecturer, breaks down Ade’s case — one of the Manchester 10
April 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Wednesday 30th in Bradford: Know Your Rights Workshop: The Criminalisation of Music and Young People with Adèle Oliver, the author of 'Deeping it - Colonialism, Culture and Criminalisation of UK Drill' ahead of ‘Public Interest’ the new immersive show from Common Wealth
April 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Tuesday 29th in Leicester:
The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre Annual Lecture 'Race, Respectability & Disproportionality: The Use of Music in the Criminalisation of Young Black People' - Keir Monteith KC will be keynote speaker, followed by incredible panellists
April 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
We were inspired to start Art Not Evidence by the campaigning for freedom of artistic expression in the US so it feels great to be moving forward together as a global effort 💛
March 18, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The more signatures, the stronger the message to policy makers!

✍️ Add your name at artnotevidence.org
February 22, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Sir Mark Rowley is right about one thing, though: he is not an expert on drill music. Nor are the other police officers who claim to be, and who present shoddy evidence on the subject in criminal courts across the country.
This has to stop.
January 25, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Time and again we have seen that curbing young people’s expression has no meaningful impact on reducing violent crime.
January 25, 2025 at 10:40 AM
It’s concerning to see the Met’s most senior officer backing more draconian controls on drill musicians, particularly after police forces have said they are willing to engage and learn more about this subject...
January 25, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Pictured is members of the Art Not Evidence team with MPs Steve Witherden, @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social, @kimjohnsonmp.bsky.social, @afzalkhanmcr.bsky.social

It’s only been 363 days since we had our launch event across the road in the Houses of Parliament - so an incredible way to kick off 2025!
January 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM