©️ By Sophie Lewis – @realtalkrealtea

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On Saturday, 29th March 2025, grassroots justice campaigners from Predator Awareness and the HMP Prisons Justice Group, led by Tom Blewitt and Zack Griffiths. Gathered outside BBC MediaCity in Salford for a peaceful demonstration against institutional silence, complicity, and decades of cover-ups. What unfolded was more than just a protest — it was a confrontation between truth and an institution protected by the state.

What the BBC didn’t expect was the unwavering resilience of those who’ve had enough. And what the protesters didn’t expect? To be physically confronted by BBC staff. A £200 protest banner pole? Damaged. Their speaker, which carried survivor voices and rally calls, confiscated. The BBC, which claims impartiality and public service, responded to a peaceful protest with hostility, damage, and silence.

But here’s the truth: These groups are not here for permission. They’re here for accountability.

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The Reality of Institutional Betrayal

For the protesters standing outside MediaCity, this wasn’t just another protest. It was an act of defiance against decades of systemic failings, where powerful institutions like the BBC have used their media empire to silence the most vulnerable — survivors of abuse.

Predator Awareness has spent over six years fighting for those whose voices have been drowned out by a corporate machine that thrives on maintaining a polished image. From the darkest days of Jimmy Savile to the recent failures surrounding Huw Edwards, the BBC has shown a blatant disregard for the victims it should protect. Instead, it has shielded perpetrators and spun a narrative of innocence.

The group’s mission? To expose the lies. Tear down the facade. Demand justice for the victims ignored by institutions like the BBC.

Tom Blewitt, founder of Predator Awareness, didn’t mince words: “We are here today because we’ve had enough of the BBC’s lies. Enough of their silence. Enough of their complicity in hiding predators.” His words resonated deeply with countless survivors whose lives have been shattered by the system that should protect them.

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The BBC’s Response to Protesters

But the BBC didn’t just ignore the protesters. They actively sought to shut them down.

Security, hired by the BBC, didn’t come to ensure safety. They came to intimidate. The protestors’ banner was damaged. A £200 pole was damaged. The speaker — a tool for amplifying the truth — was taken. The protesters were accused of causing criminal damage, while the BBC staff acted as if they were the victims. A chilling reminder that when powerful institutions feel threatened, they use whatever power they can muster to suppress the truth.

This wasn’t just oppression — it was institutional gaslighting, a tactic that has become the hallmark of the BBC’s approach to scandals it tries to bury.

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The Fight Beyond the Protest: Unseen Battles and Unwavering Resilience

The truth doesn’t just live in the streets outside BBC MediaCity. For Zack Griffiths, Tom Blewitt, and the HMP Prisons Justice Group, this battle goes much deeper. It’s a fight not just against corruption but against the forces that seek to silence them. They’ve been threatened, marginalised, and ignored. Some have been smeared as “troublemakers,” “conspiracy theorists,” or “extremists” — all for speaking the truth.

The emotional toll is profound. The weight of systemic abuse, emotional manipulation, and apathy has nearly broken them. But they keep pushing forward.

Zack Griffiths, who leads HMP Prisons Justice Group, has long been advocating for prisoners subjected to abuse and systemic neglect. He wasn’t looking for a fight; he was looking for justice for those whose stories have been suppressed. “This isn’t just about one protest. This is about the years of work, the lives we’ve changed, and the survivors we’ve fought for,” Zack said. “This is for the kids who never had a chance to speak. For the families who lost everything.”

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The Movement Grows: From Protest to Power

The protest outside BBC MediaCity was a flashpoint. But it’s far from the end of the battle. Predator Awareness and HMP Prisons Justice Group are more than protest groups. They are movements. And movements don’t fade; they grow, evolve, and gain strength with every person who steps forward.

After the demonstration, the response from the public was overwhelming. Messages flooded in from people who’d been waiting for someone to speak out — from victims hiding their pain, from families who watched helplessly as their loved ones were failed by a broken system. They were calling for justice, truth, and accountability — and pledging their support for the groups leading the charge.

This protest sparked a new wave of voices, many from people who never imagined standing up to the BBC, but now realised they had no choice. And the message was clear: They’re not going anywhere. The battle for justice will continue, no matter the obstacles.

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Predator Awareness: Reclaiming What Was Stolen

The growing support shows that Predator Awareness and HMP Prisons Justice Group are beacons of hope for the overlooked and the silenced. They are amplifying the voices that have been drowned out for too long — the voices of survivors, the voices of forgotten victims, the voices the BBC would rather keep quiet.

But this fight isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

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Where to Find More Information and Support

For those wanting to learn more about the incredible work done by Predator Awareness and the HMP Prisons Justice Group, as well as access the speeches and recordings from the protest, you can find them through the following channels:

• Predator Awareness Website: www.predatorawareness.co.uk
• HMP Prisons Justice Group: https://hmpjusticegroup.wordpress.com/

For video highlights, speeches from the protest, and more in-depth coverage, visit the Predator Awareness social media platforms.

Together, we demand truth, justice, and accountability.

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