UK artists risk facing jail time for supporting Black Lives Matter

UK government has introduced new measures threatening minimum jail sentences for protesters. 

The change in law was done in response to the violence and vandalism at last weekend's far-right protests in central London, as well as a means of preventing the spread of Covid-19.

UK rappers, Dutchavelli and Digga D, could risk being sent to jail having attended a Black Lives Matter protest. According to his Snapchat, Digga D has been told by police that even talking about Black Lives Matter on social media could land him in prison.

The post also indicated that his probation officer, refused him to take pictures of himself holding Black Lives Matter signs at a protest. It goes on to say he had been at risk of being sent back to prison. Having decided to against it, they instead made the terms of his release on license even more strict.

Similarly, Dutchavelli faced issues with authorities after he took to Instagram Live to express his support for Black Lives Matter, adding that he was thinking of attending the protest that had been organised last weekend.

Although the protest ended being cancelled, his sister, Stefflon Don, took to social media to say that Dutchavelli faced the possibility of serving the rest of his license period behind bars.

A petition was later started and called on the mayor of London Sadiq Khan to step in on behalf of Dutch and all Black Lives Matter protesters. In updated news, Stefflon Don, posted a note on Twitter addressed to Mr Khan, which states that "Mr Stephan Allen (Dutchavelli) has no longer an outstanding recall against his name."