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Protest against deaths in custody planned

Thousands expected to attend London deaths in custody rally next month
Written by By Trudy Simpson and Elizabeth Pears
31/08/2011 11:48 AM

PROTEST: The families of those who have died in police custody and their supporters are demanding answers

A COALITION of families whose loved ones have died in police, prison, or state psychiatric custody are to hold a rally in October calling for an end to deaths in custody.

The United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC), who have been marching every year since 1999, are holding the rally on Saturday, October 29 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, starting from Trafalgar Square in central London.

They will be marching to the Prime Minister’s office in Downing Street to hand in a list of demands, which include calls for cameras in police vans, changes in legislation and a public enquiry into deaths in custody.

“One or two people every week die in custody yet not one police officer has been prosecuted,” one of the organisers, Ken Fero, told The Voice: “What I want to say to Cameron is have the courage and conviction to deal with this issue. If you can deal with human rights abuses abroad, deal with them here.”

The rally comes as another young man, 25-year-old Jacob Michaels died following contact with police officers who tasered him last Monday (August 22).

The amateur rugby league player was reportedly restrained by up to 11 officers and then sprayed with CS gas during the course of his arrest for alleged affray in Widnes, Merseyside.

Unwell

He was taken by police van to a custody suite at Runcorn police station in Cheshire. But shortly after his arrival, he became unwell and paramedics were called. He was later pronounced dead at Warrington General Hospital.

“All I want to know is what happened to my son and I'm sure everyone feels the same about that,” his father, also called Jacob, said.

This year’s rally has been preceded by two marches for justice following the deaths of reggae singer Smiley Culture in Surrey and Kingsley Burrell from Birmingham both of whom died on March 15 and March 27 respectively in suspicious circumstances after police officers were called.

A third march for justice, planned for August 13 in memory of 21-year-old Demetre Fraser was postponed after recent riots across London and other cities in England.

His family reject claims he fell or jumped to his death from a tower block during a police visit on May 31.

Police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), is now investigating the deaths of all four men.

Posted on: 31/08/2011 11:48 AM

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Comments

death in prison

Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

Yes not only are people dying in police custody, people are in prison for life and spent most of there life there and no one cared to try and reform them and give them a chance.. I know some one who is dying of cancer that as been develop in the old prison,
Asbestos, and authority, will not let them out for hospice care to die in a dignity, this is a big problem. And worst in the black race,,please look into this

Wed, 2011-08-31 16:13

Protest Against Deaths In Custody Planned

Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

'A COALITION of families whose loved ones have died in police, prison, or state psychiatric custody are to hold a rally in October calling for an end to deaths in custody.'

Where are these people when black youths are stabbing black youths?

' This year’s rally has been preceded by two marches for justice following the deaths of reggae singer Smiley Culture in Surrey and Kingsley Burrell from Birmingham both of whom died on March 15 and March 27 respectively in suspicious circumstances after police officers were called. '

2 people in March! How many black youths have stabbed or shot other black youths in the same period?

Wed, 2011-08-31 15:32

Whilst I totally agree and

Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

Whilst I totally agree and understand your reaction there have been events and a march regarding the senseless deaths of our young. The youth4smiley culture organisation is aiming to tackle these very issues. However, if you were at any of these events you would already know this.

Thu, 2011-09-01 13:17

What does it matter how many

Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

What does it matter how many black youths have stabbed or shot each other? Just because they do it it doesnt mean the police should be doing the same thing

Thu, 2011-09-01 13:13

Human Right Abuses in Hospitals and Custody

Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

Thank you to those who have the courage to stand up peacefully for what is right and just. I am sure we all remeber the death in a psychiatric hospital in Norfolk of 'Rocky' Bennett and since the damming enquiry in 2006 where Norfolk & Waveney was branded institutionally racist - well, would anyone be interested to know what has changed? NOTHING!.

In fact the place has gone from bad to worse with more time and energy spent on how to cover things up rather deal with them. How do I know this? I unfortunately work there.

They claim to have too many of 'them' working there, but when you challenge inequalities, you are told, not enough BME in Norfolk to warrant changes. They find them to do the lower jobs but never to be in any posititon of influence or decision making. It is wrong and number 10 has to listen and act.

Wed, 2011-08-31 14:42