Xahra Saleem: All Black Lives Bristol co-founder charged by police with fraud over missing money

The 22-year-old from east London will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court in January
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

One of the organisers of the Black Lives Matter demonstration that saw the toppling of Edward Colston’s statue has been charged with fraud over a fundraiser linked to the protest movement.

As revealed by Bristol World, Xahra Saleem, aged 22, was also one of the co-founders of the All Black Lives Bristol movement - but in January she will appear before magistrates in Bristol charged with two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It follows a lengthy fraud investigation by Avon and Somerset Police which looked into money which allegedly went missing from a crowdfunder initially set up for the demo on 7 June in 2020. Money allegedly went missing from the GoFundMe page called BristBLM for Changing Your Mindset, which was a St Pauls-based youth group.

Saleem describes herself as a co-founder of All Black Lives and a screenwriter. She was named among 30 of the most influential under-30s in Bristol by Rife Magazine last year.

In a statement provided to Bristol World, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: “A woman is due in court at the start of next year after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges following a fraud investigation.

“Xahra Saleem, 22 and from East London, has been charged with two counts of fraud by abuse of position. She is due before Bristol Magistrates Court on Tuesday 3 January 2023.”

Xahra Saleem - pictured next to the plinth where the Colston Statue stood. She now faces two charges of fraudXahra Saleem - pictured next to the plinth where the Colston Statue stood. She now faces two charges of fraud
Xahra Saleem - pictured next to the plinth where the Colston Statue stood. She now faces two charges of fraud
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All Black Lives Bristol was created following the demonstration which saw the Colston statue toppled in 2020. It was set up to distinguish its members from an existing Black Lives Matter group in Bristol already in existance.

Saleem co-founded the group with others who it is not suggested are involved in any crime. It is not clear if the group is still active, and no new posts have been published on its social media channels since last year. Bristol World has contacted All Black Lives UK for comment.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.