Hundreds of demonstrators united yesterday, joining members of the United Families and Friends Campaign and the Justice for Chris Kaba campaign to highlight the tragic issue of deaths in police custody.
The gathering took place in Trafalgar Square, from where protesters marched to Downing Street in a show of solidarity with affected families, delivering a letter addressed to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer via a security guard.
Organised by the United Families and Friends Campaign, this annual event serves as a platform for bereaved families and their supporters to demand justice, reform, and accountability for those who have lost their lives due to state actions.
Among those present were family and friends of Chris Kaba, who was fatally shot by police marksman Martyn Blake.
Last week, Blake was acquitted of murder at the Old Bailey, a verdict that has left many questioning the justice system.
Demonstrators brandished signs reading “No justice” and “No to fascism,” alongside banners proclaiming, “We are all victims of state negligence” and “United Families and Friends Campaign. No more deaths in custody.”
One speaker addressed the crowd, expressing sentiments of “collective grief,” “devastation,” and “disappointment,” while emphasising the strength and unity among those affected.
She highlighted the importance of standing in solidarity with all families grieving due to state actions.
The march coincided with a separate event in central London, where thousands of supporters of Tommy Robinson gathered for a planned protest. A counter-demonstration was organised by Stand Up to Racism, calling for a “massive anti-fascist demonstration.”
In a statement following Blake’s not guilty verdict, Kaba’s family expressed their “devastation,” reaffirming their commitment to seeking justice for their son and advocating for meaningful change to prevent further instances of police violence.
