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Family appeals for peace after black man dies in police encounter

Author
AAP,
Publish Date
Sun, 30 Jul 2017, 6:44AM
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott (2nd L) and Rashan's father Patrick Charles (3rd L) attend vigil for Rashan Charles (Getty Images)
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott (2nd L) and Rashan's father Patrick Charles (3rd L) attend vigil for Rashan Charles (Getty Images)

Family appeals for peace after black man dies in police encounter

Author
AAP,
Publish Date
Sun, 30 Jul 2017, 6:44AM

The family of a young black man who died following a London police chase have appealed for peace, a day after street protests over his death turned violent.

Relatives held a vigil outside an east London police station on Saturday for 20-year-old Rashan Charles, who died in a hospital last week after he was pursued and apprehended by an officer in the capital's Hackney area.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the case and said it will consider whether any misconduct or crimes were involved.

Clashes broke out on the streets of east London late on Friday as riot police tried to disperse protesters, who hurled bottles and fireworks at officers, barricaded a road with garbage cans and mattresses, and later set the objects on fire. Some held "Black Lives Matter" placards.

Scotland Yard said the violence overnight was "separate" from a peaceful protest at a police station earlier on Friday.

Police said the unrest resulted in damage to "vehicles, a cash machine and a number of windows". An officer was injured and a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing bodily harm.

"No justice, no peace, doesn't mean violence. It means we will not watch this in silence," Charles' family spokesman Stafford Scott told reporters.

Unverified footage on social media appeared to show at least one police officer attempting to restrain Charles on the floor of a shop.

The Charles family was joined by the family of Edson Da Costa, another black man who recently died after being detained by police.

Supporters say Costa was beaten by police and his June 21 death is also being investigated by the police complaints commission.

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