Berry Muzinga, a 47-year-old black railroad worker, was worried about her health while working at London's Victoria station during the coronavirus pandemic. Her cousin Agnes and an unnamed co-worker told The Guardian that Muzinga had respiratory problems and had asked not to work outside the closed ticket office without proper PPE, but was still instructed to work in the station concourse.
"We pleaded with them not to go outside. We said, 'Our lives are in danger,'" the co-worker said (opens in new tab). 'They told us we weren't even allowed to wear masks.'
On March 22, a man approached Muzinga and one of her colleagues, spitting and coughing, the Guardian reported. The assailant claimed he was infected with the coronavirus, and both women subsequently contracted it; on April 5, Muzinga died in the hospital, leaving behind her 11-year-old daughter Ingrid and her husband Lusamba Gode Katalei. Due to coronavirus restrictions, only 10 people were allowed to attend her funeral.
"She should not have been sent away without PPE. We seek justice for Berry. Muzinga's cousin Agnes told the Guardian. 'Her daughter no longer has a mother. We should protect those who are left behind."
The British Transport Police announced on May 29 (open in new tab) that no further action would be taken in Muzinga's case. In response to public outcry, BTP announced (open in new tab) that it had asked the Crown Prosecution Service to review the evidence, including CCTV footage and witness statements, but that it had "comprehensively reviewed all available evidence and (had) not identified any crimes or actions that meet the criteria for prosecution."
Muzinga's husband, Katalay, said in a statement (open in new tab), "Black lives matter. Berry's life mattered. It matters to me, to our daughter, to our friends and family, to Berry's colleagues, and to the thousands of you out there right now."
"We seek justice for Berry. Berry did not lie about being assaulted," continued Katalay.
"Berry and her co-workers, as frontline workers, were confronted, intimidated, and their concerns and fears were ignored. We continue to have questions even after the police investigation."Click here to sign the petition demanding justice for Berry Muzinga (opens in new tab).
To donate to a fundraiser to support Muzinga's family, including her daughter Ingrid, click here (opens in new tab).
To donate to Black Lives Matter UK (UKBLM), click here (opens in new tab).
Click here to donate to Black Protest Legal Support UK, a fund to provide legal assistance to Black Lives Matter protesters (opens in new tab).
Click here to donate to Black Minds Matter (opens in new tab).
Click here to donate to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, a charity established after the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds (opens in new tab).
Click here to donate to HOPE not hate, an anti-racist, anti-fascist campaign group (opens in new tab).
To donate to Stop Hate UK, an organization that tackles hate crime and supports victims, click here.
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