The city of Bristol is in mourning following the passing of Ras Judah, born Judah Adunbi — a revered campaigner, mentor, and community elder whose life became inseparable from the struggle for justice and equality.

For decades, Ras Judah stood as a pillar of conscience in Bristol, carrying both the wounds and the resilience of a community shaped by hardship and hope. From his involvement in the 1980 St Pauls uprising to his years of service as an independent race relations advisor to police, he dedicated his life to bridging divides while never shying away from uncomfortable truths.

Many remember the shock and outrage that followed the 2017 incident in which he was tasered by police — an event that reverberated far beyond the city. Yet even amid trauma and repeated misidentification in its aftermath, Ras Judah chose advocacy over anger. Through the Justice 4 Judah campaign, he continued to call not for vengeance, but for accountability grounded in fairness, truth, and human dignity.

His story reached wider audiences through the documentary I Am Judah, ensuring that conversations about institutional racism and civil liberties would endure. But those closest to him say his greatest legacy was personal: his warmth, wisdom, humour, and unwavering commitment to the people around him.

As founder of the St Pauls Sports Academy and a mentor to generations of young people across the city, Ras Judah devoted himself to lifting others up, often quietly and without recognition. To many, he was not just an activist, but a steady presence who believed deeply in the power of community care.

Tributes continue to pour in from across Bristol and beyond, honoring a man who stood firm so others could stand taller.

In his passing, the city loses more than a campaigner — it loses a guardian of its moral compass. Yet those who loved him say his legacy will endure in every act of justice pursued, every young life encouraged, and every voice raised for equality.

Rest in power, Ras Judah. Bristol will not forget you.