Blue plaque campaign to remember Wolverhampton man who died in Next store while in police custody

Almost 40 years after his tragic death, a new campaign has been launched in Wolverhampton to ensure that Clinton McCurbin’s life and legacy are permanently remembered.

On February 20, 1987, Clinton, a 24-year-old Black man, died of asphyxia while being held down by police officers inside the glass-fronted Next store on Dudley Street. The attempted arrest, based on unproven allegations of credit card theft, unfolded in full public view. His death sent shockwaves through Wolverhampton and sparked demonstrations and unrest — scenes that would later echo in the global outrage following George Floyd’s murder in the United States in 2020.

Yet, despite the protests and inquiries that followed, there has never been an official apology, public memorial, or lasting acknowledgement of Clinton’s loss.

A New Call for Justice and Healing

This year, the Clinton McCurbin Memorial Campaign has been formed to change that. Ahead of the 40th anniversary of his death, the group is calling for a blue plaque at the site of the former Next store, a visible marker of remembrance and recognition.

The campaign officially launched on September 16 at Wolverhampton Science Park, where supporters, activists, and community leaders gathered to honour Clinton’s memory.

Beyond a Plaque: Education, Memory, and Action

The campaign is not only about a memorial but also about education, healing, and systemic change. Its goals include:

Establishing a permanent public memorial in Wolverhampton.
Organising an annual remembrance event each February.
Delivering education and arts programmes in schools and communities.
Supporting national campaigns around deaths in custody and racial justice.
Creating a digital archive and storytelling platform to preserve oral histories, documents, and creative responses to Clinton’s story.

Voices of the Movement

Professor Patrick Vernon, chair of the memorial committee and a veteran of the original McCurbin Defence Campaign, emphasised the importance of this moment:

“Clinton McCurbin’s death was a defining moment in the struggle for racial justice in Britain. It is time for truth. It is time for healing. That’s why we are calling for a blue plaque in Clinton’s name — not only to mark the place of his death, but to mark a beginning. A beginning of remembering. A beginning of reckoning.” ”

Committee member Ruth South added:

“We can’t talk about justice without talking about healing. This campaign is about more than a memorial. It’s about bringing people together — especially those still grieving, still frustrated, still angry, still afraid — and saying: you are not alone. We carry this history together, and we heal together.”

Looking Ahead

The campaign represents a vital step in Wolverhampton’s civic legacy and Black British history. By marking Clinton McCurbin’s life with a permanent memorial and building a platform for education and dialogue, organisers hope to ensure that his story is never forgotten and that future generations continue the fight for justice and equality.

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