Chris Kaba was only 23 when he was pursued by armed police officers in a car chase and shot dead in Streatham, South London, at the beginning of September. Kaba – who was due to become a father and was part of the drill group 67 – was unarmed and died in hospital the next day.Hundreds of people demonstrated outside New Scotland Yard on Saturday, echoing the calls of Kaba’s family for greater accountability. His family have described the Met Police killing as “totally racist” and are fundraising to continue the #JusticeforChrisKaba campaign.
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The IOPC have launched a homicide investigation into his death and will determine whether his race played a part in how he was treated by officers. The firearms officer who fatally shot Kaba has since been suspended, though Met Police have been criticised for acting too slowly and not yet releasing the body cam footage.The gathering on Saturday was just one of the dozen or so demonstrations that took place across the UK, including Leeds, Cardiff and Coventry. VICE photographer Aiyush Pachnanda was there to speak to those who had gathered in London to call for justice.
Chantelle Lunt, 27
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Dexter Webb, 19
Karen Robinson, 37
Bell Riberio-Addy MP, 37
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On the police’s part, there was no information [initially released], and that is the problem when you leave a vacuum of information – of course people are going to fill it. Sadly, on finding out who was killed, there were a lot of negative reports in the media, talking about him being a drill rapper and how he was a criminal having been to prison, as if it was to justify [his death].We were then told we couldn’t have any of the information because it would change the investigation – but I ask myself how we can have all of this negative information on one side and then no details on the other. Surely that’s prejudicing this investigation? The police need to work on their communication with the local community. Lambeth, where it happened, has the lowest trust and confidence with the police in London. That says a lot.
Ben Goldstone, 29
Caul Grant, 60
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I am glad the Met Police suspended the officer and I am glad that there is a homicide investigation. I want justice – that officer must face a murder charge.
June Angus, 26I first heard the news about Chris when his parents called out for the Day of Action. A lot of his news was buried by the Queen. It’s very emblematic as to how POC voices are not listened to in general, and how people assume they are in support of what’s basically a racist system to completely ignore the issues going on.The police should take accountability for what their officers are doing on the street. Even if the demands [of Chris Kaba’s family] are met, such as releasing the body cam footage, it doesn’t stop there. There needs to be wider responsibility for the system that supported this.