The father of an East Ham man who died after being detained by police has vowed to ‘fight for all young black men who have been killed in custody’.
Ginario Da Costa, whose son Edson died on June 21, spoke out after a protest turned violent in Dalston on Friday night following the death of Rashan Charles who was being arrested in a shop.
Rashan died on July 22 after allegedly being tackled by police in Dalston.
The 20-year-old, said to have been a passenger in the car, reportedly ran into the shop and tried to swallow something.
An object was apparently removed from his throat at the scene and he died in hospital.
Edson, a father-of-one, died six days after being detained by police during a traffic stop in Beckton.
No cause of death has yet been established but according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission several packages were removed from his throat.
Demonstrators at the protest over Rashan’s death blocked off Kingsland Road before fires were lit and bottles thrown. A cyclist trying to ride through the road block was hurt, and a police officer suffered a minor eye injury.
Members of Rashan’s family addresses protesters outside Stoke Newington police station where they made a plea for supporters of their fight for justice to remain peaceful on the streets.
Mr Da Costa offered his condolences to Rashan’s family as well as vowing to fight for justice.
He told the crowd: “First of all, our condolences to Rashan’s family. We know what they are going through because my son has suffered at the hands of the police and also like Rashan he’s no longer with us today.
“The justice for Edson campaign will continue to fight for justice, not only for Edson or Rashan, but for all those young black men who have been killed in police custody through the use of excessive force.”
Protesters are demanding the suspension of the police officer seen on CCTV footage apparently tackling Rashan to the ground in the Yours Locally off-licence hours before he died.
But police said there were “no grounds to suspend the officers” at present.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here