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Demonstrators confront police in east London over Da Costa death Demonstrators confront police in east London over Da Costa death
(35 minutes later)
Protesters confronted police on Sunday over the treatment of Edir Frederico Da Costa, the 25-year-old black man who died six days after being arrested by officers who, according to the police watchdog, used force and CS spray against him.Protesters confronted police on Sunday over the treatment of Edir Frederico Da Costa, the 25-year-old black man who died six days after being arrested by officers who, according to the police watchdog, used force and CS spray against him.
The demonstrators faced riot police at Stratford bus station in east London before moving on to the nearby Forest Gate police station. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Da Costo, also known as Edson. The demonstrators faced riot police at Stratford bus station in east London before moving on to the nearby Forest Gate police station. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Da Costa, also known as Edson.
Some of the protesters carried Black Lives Matter posters and others with homemade placards which read “Justice for Edson + How Many More???”. The crowd chanted “justice for Edson” as they marched, while a woman with a loudhailer led them in a chant of “we want justice” as they confronted officers in Stratford.Some of the protesters carried Black Lives Matter posters and others with homemade placards which read “Justice for Edson + How Many More???”. The crowd chanted “justice for Edson” as they marched, while a woman with a loudhailer led them in a chant of “we want justice” as they confronted officers in Stratford.
The demonstration was supported by the UK’s Black Lives Matter movement, though Da Costa’s family told the Guardian on Saturday that they did not support it and would not be attending.The demonstration was supported by the UK’s Black Lives Matter movement, though Da Costa’s family told the Guardian on Saturday that they did not support it and would not be attending.
Da Costa was in a car with two other people that was stopped by police in the Newham area of east London on Thursday 15 June. The Met police initially said only that he “became unwell” and that he had “swallowed a large quantity of drugs”. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said later it believed officers had used force and CS spray during the arrest. Da Costa was in a car with two other people when it was stopped by police in the Newham area of east London on Thursday 15 June. The Met police initially said only that he “became unwell” and that he had “swallowed a large quantity of drugs”. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said later it believed officers had used force and CS spray during the arrest.
Da Costa’s relatives have said they were told by his doctor that he suffered a series of extensive injuries. But the IPCC said a preliminary postmortem suggested he had not.Da Costa’s relatives have said they were told by his doctor that he suffered a series of extensive injuries. But the IPCC said a preliminary postmortem suggested he had not.
The demonstrators present on Sunday also alleged that Da Costa was “brutally beaten” and some of them highlighted other cases in which black people have been killed and hurt by the police in the past.The demonstrators present on Sunday also alleged that Da Costa was “brutally beaten” and some of them highlighted other cases in which black people have been killed and hurt by the police in the past.
The local borough commander, Supt Ian Larnder, stood in the middle of a group of protesters trying to answer their questions and calm tensions.The local borough commander, Supt Ian Larnder, stood in the middle of a group of protesters trying to answer their questions and calm tensions.
Some people reacted angrily, saying “you are protecting them” and “you have told us what you can’t do, now tell us what you can do” as members of the crowd pressed him about alleged police brutality.Some people reacted angrily, saying “you are protecting them” and “you have told us what you can’t do, now tell us what you can do” as members of the crowd pressed him about alleged police brutality.
More questions drowned him out as he told the largely black crowd: “I am here because l care deeply about what is going on.” Larnder also said: “Police officers are all accountable to the law, they are being investigated ... I genuinely feel for you. I will ring the IPCC and ask them what are you doing.” More questions drowned him out as he told the largely black crowd: “I am here because l care deeply about what is going on.” Larnder also said: “Police officers are all accountable to the law, they are being investigated ... I genuinely feel for you. I will ring the IPCC and ask them ‘what are you doing?’”
When one of the campaigners asked if the officers involved in the incident were still working, he said: “I am pretty sure they have not been suspended but removed from operational duties.”When one of the campaigners asked if the officers involved in the incident were still working, he said: “I am pretty sure they have not been suspended but removed from operational duties.”
Big shots police officers trying to fob crowd off telling us the IPCC will take care of it. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/Q672sGFzMcBig shots police officers trying to fob crowd off telling us the IPCC will take care of it. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/Q672sGFzMc
One protester rode his motorbike up to the police line and deliberately revved his engine in front of the officers. Another motorcyclist turned his bike towards the officers and span his wheels so that smoke blew towards them.One protester rode his motorbike up to the police line and deliberately revved his engine in front of the officers. Another motorcyclist turned his bike towards the officers and span his wheels so that smoke blew towards them.
The crowd arrived at Forest Gate police station at about 8.15pm and a cordon of uniformed officers stood outside the building.The crowd arrived at Forest Gate police station at about 8.15pm and a cordon of uniformed officers stood outside the building.
At least a dozen officers wearing helmets stood shoulder-to-shoulder and two-deep at the station entrance as tempers flared. The demonstrators held a calm minute’s silence at 8.40pm, with each person holding a clenched fist in the air. It was broken with applause, revving of motorbikes and then booming music.At least a dozen officers wearing helmets stood shoulder-to-shoulder and two-deep at the station entrance as tempers flared. The demonstrators held a calm minute’s silence at 8.40pm, with each person holding a clenched fist in the air. It was broken with applause, revving of motorbikes and then booming music.
Transport for London said that from just before 6pm there had been “a number of bus diversions at police request” due to the demonstration at Stratford. A Met spokeswoman said they are “aware of the protest”, adding: “An appropriate policing plan is in place.” Transport for London said that from just before 6pm there had been “a number of bus diversions at police request” due to the demonstration at Stratford. A Met spokeswoman said they are “aware of the protest” adding: “An appropriate policing plan is in place.”