A large crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters shouted ‘police are murderers’ as they marched down Whitehall to Scotland Yard as the Met Police investigate the ‘murder’ of an unarmed rapper.
Father-to-be Chris Kaba, 24, was shot dead by armed police on Monday night following a car chase in south London.
An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 demonstrators turned up to the peaceful protest on Saturday to offer their support for Mr Kaba. Attendees say it took around three minutes move from from Parliament Square to Downing Street.
The protest came as Mr Kaba’s family have demanded the officer who fired the shot is ‘immediately suspended’ from his job while the incident is investigated.
It also comes as those mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II were moved back from the gates of Buckingham Palace and The Mall was closed to visitors. It is unclear if the protest played a role in the decision to close down the area.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the officer for homicide.
A large crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters shouted ‘police are murderers’ as they marched down Whitehall to Scotland Yard as Met Police investigate the ‘murder’ of an unarmed rapper
Chris Kaba, 24, was shot dead by armed police on Monday night following a car chase
An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 demonstrators turned up to the peaceful protest on Saturday to offer their support for Mr Kaba
The protest came as Mr Kaba’s family have demanded the officer who fired the shot is ‘immediately suspended’ from his job while the incident is investigated
The crowds marching to Scotland Yard paid tribute to Mr Kaba, who was due to become a father in months.
Signs reading ‘Black Lives Matter’, ‘Justice for Chris Kaba’ and ‘Abolish the Met’ were held up as speakers using a megaphone led chants of ‘no justice, no peace’ and ‘police are the murderers’.
There was a limited police presence as demonstrators assembled on Parliament Square and made their way through Whitehall.
A surgeon who attended Saturday’s march has said that the event, alongside the death of other young black males, feels like a ‘small-scale genocide’.
‘I have to say that this indicates quite a strong sense of feeling, and that this march really reflects strong concern from us black Londoners,’ Samantha Harding, an eye surgeon based in London, stated.
She noted how that many people in attendance had brought homemade protest signs. Hers read: ‘How and why did Chris Kaba die?’
Ms Harding added: ‘I am very worried about young black people in London at the moment. It’s impossible, you can just be driving a car and find yourself dead. Is this where we’ve come to?
‘The poor guy who was tasered on Chelsea Bridge, he’s another concerning case. What’s happening with young black males in the capital?
‘It’s like a small-scale genocide. We’ve got to get to the bottom of it – we’ve got to stop it.’
Police stand guard as demonstrators march from Whitehall to Scotland Yard on Saturday
One protester has said that the event, alongside the death of other young black males, feels like a ‘small-scale genocide’
Many people in attendance Saturday had brought homemade protest signs. One demonstrator is pictured holding a sign that reads: ‘Justice for Chris Kaba’
Protesters carrying a sign reading ‘Disband the police!’ are pictured during Saturday’s march
Morgan Williams, 21, said she was attending the Lambeth shooting protest because young black people should be able to live their lives without feeling threatened.
Ms Williams, a student from London, said she feels unsafe in the wake of Mr Kaba’s death.
‘I feel like in 2022 we shouldn’t be having these problems. As young black people we should be able to coexist alongside other communities without being threatened.
‘Of course I feel unsafe. I feel like there hasn’t been an answer, nor has anyone taken responsibility.’
Asked about the homicide investigation into the shooting of Mr Kaba, she said: ‘I think (a charging decision should be made) quicker than in months and I think people should be brought to justice very quickly.
‘I feel like if it was a white person there would be a lot more being answered for but because it’s a black person it doesn’t seem to be as important.
‘Being someone who is half white and half black is hard for me – I feel like half of my identity is still traumatised on a daily basis by the other half of my heritage.’
Officers are seen outside New Scotland Yard where BLM demonstrators are holding a protest
One demonstrator said she was attending the shooting protest because young black people should be able to live their lives without feeling threatened
The IOPC is investigating the officer involved in the shooting for homicide. The agency earlier confirmed there was no gun found in Mr Kaba’s car after his death
Demonstrators march through London on Saturday in protest of the death of Chris Kaba
Mr Kaba was unarmed when he died following a car chase in South London on Monday evening. It is understood that the only firearm recovered from the scene was the one involved in the shooting.
The rapper was hemmed in by two police cars on a residential street in Streatham Hill – a single round was fired which proved fatal.
Officers performed CPR on Mr Kaba and he was rushed to hospital, but died later that night.
Now, the 24-year-old’s family have demanded the officer involved in the fatal shooting be suspended from the force.
The IOPC has launched a homicide investigation into the incident involving the Met Police in Streatham Hill, but the family said they were ‘shocked’ the decision to do so was only made on Friday.
In a statement issued on their behalf, Daniel Machover, head of civil litigation at solicitors Hickman & Rose, said: ‘Following a police stop in Streatham, south-west London, shortly after 10pm on Monday September 5, a firearms officer employed by the MPS fired a fatal shot at Chris Kaba while he was seated, unarmed, in a car.
‘On being notified of the death of Chris Kaba, the IOPC should have immediately opened a homicide and disciplinary investigation. The family was shocked to learn on Wednesday, September 7, that the IOPC had still not done so and demanded a change of heart without delay.
‘The family therefore welcome the IOPC’s decisions on Friday, September 9, to open homicide and disciplinary investigations against that firearms officer, however belatedly.
‘The family now await the outcome of that investigation, but seek a charging decision in this case in weeks or a few months, not years.
‘Public confidence in the police and our justice system requires the IOPC and CPS to find a way to make decisions in this case on a timescale that delivers justice to all concerned. Avoidable delay is unacceptable.
‘In the meantime, the family demand that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis immediately suspend the firearms officer, pending the outcome of the investigation.’
Mr Kaba was unarmed when he died following a car chase in South London on Monday evening. The rapper was hemmed in by two police cars on a residential street in Streatham Hill – a single round was fired which proved fatal
Police performed CPR on Mr Kaba and he was rushed to hospital but he died shortly after
The officer is believed that have been taken off ‘operational’ duties and confined to working from a desk.
However, the Metropolitan Police confirmed last week no officer involved in the incident has been suspended or is under restricted duties.
The IOPC is investigating the officer for homicide. The agency earlier confirmed there was no gun found in Mr Kaba’s car after his death.
A spokesman from the Met Police told the Mail Online: ‘All the officers are being treated as witnesses by the IOPC at this stage.
‘They are currently not on operational duties due to the post incident process but no officer is subject to formal restricted duties or suspended.
‘The work status of the officers will be regularly reviewed as the IOPC investigation progresses and the IOPC will be consulted before any decisions are made.’
The force could not confirm how many officers were involved in the incident.
The spokesman added: ‘We await confirmation, as further officers attended the scene to provide first aid and other assistance including with the formal post incident process.’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11199749/BLM-protesters-shouting-police-murderers-march-Whitehall-Scotland-Yard.html
