BLM activists demonstrating against anti-protest bill 'targeted by police'
March 17, 2021, 12:11 pm

BLM activists demonstrating against anti-protest bill 'targeted by police'

A mural in Manchester depicting George Floyd, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck and whose death sparked Black Lives Matter protests around the globe.

Protesters report that officers at Monday’s demonstration approached black women and asked their names

Activists behind many of last summer’s Black Lives Matter protests have accused the police of targeting and harassing them in an effort to stop them from taking part in demonstrations against a police bill.

As protesters gathered in Parliament Square on Monday, black activists told the Guardian that they received reports that police at the demonstration were approaching black women and asking their names. The activists believe these were attempts to flush them out before the protest got under way.

The Guardian was also told that police had been calling activists from the morning, asking their whereabouts and what time they had intended to go to the protest. “We had to put a call out to black people that we know not to turn up,” one said.

Groups from the UK’s BLM movement have been an active part of the coalition of protest groups and civil society organisations that are opposing the controversial police, crime, courts and sentencing bill, which had its second reading on Tuesday.

Activists from the groups Black Music Movement, Black Lives Matter Leeds and United for Black Lives played a key role in drafting a statement, published by Extinction Rebellion on Monday and signed by more than 100 antiracist groups, which warned over the impact of the bill.

In a new statement, published on Tuesday and signed by Imarn Ayton, of the Black Reformist Movement UK, Marvina Eseoghene Newton, of Black Lives Matter Leeds, Phoen!x Tha Rude Boii, of Black Music Movement, Sasha Johnson of the New Black Panther Party and Aima of All Black Lives UK, activists accused police of a campaign of persecution.

They said: “During last summer’s protests it became clear that some of us were being targeted by police, who called us, emailed us, monitored us and shut down some of our social media accounts. We have repeatedly been threatened with arrest and jail time, causing some of us to fear for our physical safety for nearly a year.

“The persecution of black activists, particularly the women among us, shows exactly why killing this bill is so crucial. If it passes we will be unable to protest and use our voice to challenge the inequalities faced by our communities. We are under no doubt whatsoever that it will exacerbate the racial bias and prejudice within the UK police, which will ultimately lead to further arrests and intimidate other people from expressing their democratic right to protest.”

source: Damien Gayle

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.