Fred Taggart, Secretary of the Brixton Advice Centre, expressed sadness at the passing of Darcus Howe this weekend and said:

Darcus was a big man in every sense. Big in stature, big in personality and big in heart. His contribution to the fight against injustice and for racial equality was both brave and unmatched. As an Irish person I know that he fought our corner too

Darcus Howe. Photograph by Adrian Boot, © All Rights Reserved

Race Today magazine, which he published as part of the collective, was based next door to the Centre and I got to know Darcus over thirty years. He was a great supporter and friend of the Centre, especially when we needed help with the Council. Darcus loved a scrap with bureaucracy

When, after Race Today closed and we acquired its offices, together with the flat occupied by CLR James, we persuaded English Heritage to erect a blue plaque to James, the first to a black man in Lambeth. There was only one person to unveil the plaque and Darcus did a great job. His speech was simply inspirational. The crowd closed the road

Darcus and his wife Leila visited the Centre in 2015 to launch our new window art dedicated to, and celebrating, distinguished local Black people. Once again he lifted our spirits and reminded us that the fight for justice and equality is also rooted in organisations like the Brixton Advice Centre. Darcus had the great facility to mix political vision with learning and culture, and to make us laugh as well

We offer our sympathy and love to Leila and the family

Fred Taggart
Secretary, on behalf of Brixton Advice Centre Trustees, Staff and Volunteers