A VIGIL was held for a prominent black equal rights activist this week, who was shot in the head at a party.

Sasha Johnson, who grew up in Blackbird Leys and attended university in Oxford, sustained injuries to the head at a party in Peckham in South East London.

On Tuesday evening, locals from Blackbird Leys gathered in Blackbird Leys Field to pay their respects and say prayers for the activist who remains in critical condition in hospital.

The event, which was organised by Ms Johnson’s friends, saw 60 people attend.

Natty Mark, who attended the vigil, said: “We spent a lot of time celebrating our national and international heroines, such as Lilian Bader and Maya Angelou, so it was good to see so many - white as well as black - gathering in the park, to honour one of our local heroines.”

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The Oxford graduate is a known figure in the Black Lives Matter movement and is described as ‘a strong, powerful voice for our people and our community’ by the Taking The Initiative Party, in which she works for.

Oxford City Councillor for Northfield Brook, Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, said: “We gathered in Blackbird Leys park to pray for Sasha’s full recovery.

“She is a hugely loved member of our community, having always been there to help those of us in need of help and support.

“During the pandemic Sasha helped struggling families with food deliveries and fought for better housing, stood up for those suffering the scourge of racism and led the demonstrations for equality and justice here and further afield.

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“Sasha’s family ask all to respect their privacy at this awful time and to remember her in your prayers.”

Shaista Aziz, city councillor and cabinet member for inclusive communities, said: “There was a call to pray for Sasha - it was quiet and reflective.

“I was struck by the fact a lot of young women were there, in tears, from the community.

“It was important that the vigil took place - the wider community is shocked at the horrifying violence.”

She added: “It is really important that people do not spread rumours, the police need to be left to investigate this and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

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Five men have now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over the shooting of Ms Johnson.

The Metropolitan Police said that officers detained three teenagers and two older men on suspicion of other offences before they were all also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The first suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and drug dealing on Tuesday afternoon.

Police then raided an address in Peckham where they arrested three men – aged 18, 19, and 28 – on suspicion of affray and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

A fifth man, aged 25, was arrested later that evening following a car chase, also in Peckham, on suspicion of affray and failing to stop for police.