Campaigners announce vigil for young man who died following police chase
Vigil: Rashan Jermaine Charles. Photograph: Twitter
Campaigners from Hackney Stand Up To Racism have announced a vigil for Rashan Jermaine Charles who died on Saturday following a police pursuit.
The vigil is to be held at Stoke Newington Police Station starting at 6:30pm this evening, Monday 24 July.
The 20 year-old died after being apprehended by a police officer in a shop in Kingsland Road.
The Met Police said the man, named by his family as Rashan Jermaine Charles, was followed on foot after officers tried to stop a car in Kingsland Road, Hackney, at 1:45am on Saturday.
Scotland Yard said the 20-year-old man was trying to ‘swallow an object’ and an officer was trying to prevent him from harming himself.
He was pronounced dead at the Royal London Hospital.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating.
A spokesperson for Hackney Stand Up to Racism, said: “We are enormously concerned and angered by the death of Rashan Charles while being man handled by a police officer.
“Only weeks after the death of Edson De Costa in Newham after he was arrested by police this latest incident continues the seemingly endless list of young black men dying at the hands of the authorities.
“Of course any call for activity by Rashan Charles’ family will have precedence over this event.”
Former Hackney councillor Patrick Vernon expressed his support for the vigil on Twitter.
Vigil for Rashan Charles #JusticeForRash 24th July 6.30pm-7.30pm Stoke Newington Police33 Stoke Newington High St,N16 8DS #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/0vpJsERFlR
— Patrick Vernon (@ppvernon) July 23, 2017
A social media campaign calling for justice has been set up with the hashtag #JusticeForRash, whilst friends have paid tribute to the young man.
Rasharns world 🌎💔🕊I’m lost for words. To see you growing up was a blessing. You’ll forever be apart of my life Rash. #JusticeForRash pic.twitter.com/lgiv7BUGlk
— K A S (@kasxest) July 23, 2017
Hackney mayor Philip Glanville and Cllr Caroline Selman, cabinet member for community safety, issued a joint statement on the death of Rashan Jermaine Charles, expressing their sympathy to his family and friends.
A statement from @carolineselman & myself about the incident on Saturday morning on Kingsland Road, Hackney. pic.twitter.com/Sq8FAr29YP
— Mayor of Hackney (@mayorofhackney) July 23, 2017
The Met’s chief superintendent Simon Laurence, Hackney’s borough commander issued a statement saying: “In the early hours of Saturday, 22 July, officers attempted to stop a car on Kingsland Road, E8.
“A man, who was in the car, was pursued on foot before entering a shop where he was seen to be trying to swallow an object. He was then taken ill.
“He was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service where, sadly, he died later that morning. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends.
“The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an independent investigation to establish what happened and has viewed the officers’ body worn video.
“There is likely to be speculation over the next few days regarding what led to this man becoming ill, so I would encourage people to keep up-to-date with the IPCC’s statements, as and when they are released.
“All police officers are fully aware that they will be asked to account for their actions – officers are not exempt from the law and we would not wish to be.”
The IPCC confirmed it had begun an independent investigation.
It said CCTV footage from inside the shop and from police body-worn video evidence had been collected and viewed.
“The IPCC has obtained evidence which indicates an object was removed from [Mr Charles’s] throat at the scene,” a spokesperson said.
He appealed for information from witnesses who were in the Kingsland Road and Middleton Road area.
Updates from the IPCC can be viewed on their website.