Driftime collaborated with Art Not Evidence to build an accessible and articulate website championing freedom of creative expression, a movement working hard to prevent miscarriages of justice built on unreliable, and often racialised forms of evidence.
We’d love to learn more about Art Not Evidence as a concept and campaign – what’s it about and why is it important now? What are you trying to achieve?
Art Not Evidence is a new campaign group that has formed in order to limit the prejudicial use of rap lyrics and music videos as evidence in UK courts. We are a broad coalition of youth workers, lawyers, academics, journalists, artists, musicians and music industry professionals who are collectively working to help prevent miscarriages of justice by keeping this unreliable, often racialised form of evidence out of UK courts.
It is often the case that the introduction of creative expression in courts has no direct relevance to the case itself. Instead, the evidence is used to lean into stereotypes and gang narratives to secure a conviction for the most serious of offences. We have drafted legislation to ensure that the starting point is that artistic expression is inadmissible and could only be put before a jury if a series of stringent tests are passed. Nadia Whittome MP will table this new legislation in the next parliamentary session.
“Digital design has played an essential part in helping Art Not Evidence to articulate its message that freedom of speech should not be restricted by the state wrongly using music as part of a criminal prosecution.”
The political implications are clear, but it seems to come back to people and community. What does Art Not Evidence look like behind the scenes? Who is supporting the movement?
We are a small and varied team connected by our shared passion for music and freedom of speech – we are elated to have over 100 supporters pre-launch, and are confident that this movement will grow and develop both in and beyond the UK. The collaboration, ideas and creative energy has been phenomenal - we are proud and humbled to be amongst the numerous youth workers, lawyers, academics, musicians, journalists, and music industry professionals who are fighting to keep rap out of the courtroom.
It sounds like collaboration and creative energy is at the bedrock of the movement. What role has digital design played in helping to articulate your message and mission?
Digital design has played an essential part in helping Art Not Evidence to articulate its message that freedom of speech should not be restricted by the state wrongly using music as part of a criminal prosecution. As a small organisation with limited resources, having Driftime’s design knowledge and expertise to ensure Art Not Evidence looks as professional and legitimate as we actually are was crucial in ensuring our launch was successful and had maximum impact. The “redaction” concept that Driftime expanded upon conveyed our message clearly to key players in and out of the legal system, music industry, campaigning organisations, and parliament.
What are the next steps for Art Not Evidence, and how can our readers support your mission?
We need people, their friends, and MPs to sign up to the open letter to the Secretary of State for Justice calling for the police and prosecutors to stop relying on rap music in trials; for defence lawyers to challenge its use, and for judges to exclude such evidence. If you’re reading this please sign up; share with your friends and local MP and follow us on social media - tagging your favourite artists to spread awareness. In 2024 there will be community round table events; a parliamentary meeting in the House of Commons and Nadia Whittome MP will table the legislation we drafted which, if adopted, will introduce a rigorous set of tests for whether prosecutors should be allowed to put rap evidence in front of juries.
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