We are in this for the long haul, says family lawyer

Supporters of Sheku Bayoh’s spouse and children have taken the knee exterior a public inquiry investigating the instances bordering his dying.

The group collected outside the house the venue where by the inquiry is having area, as customers of the 31-calendar year-old’s loved ones arrived to check out the proceedings.

Sheku Bayoh’s mother, Aminata Bayoh, and his sister, Kadi Johnson, arrived on Tuesday morning to chants of “Black Life Matter” and “No justice, no peace, no racist police” from about 50 protesters.

The protesters had collected outside Cash Residence in Edinburgh, where the inquiry is staying held, before evidence was listened to from officers who restrained Mr Bayoh, which include previous Computer system Nicole Limited.

Present with the household was their attorney, Aamer Anwar.

He died in police custody just after officers obtained calls from the public about a black guy acting “erratically” and carrying a knife in Kirkcaldy on Could 3 2015.

The hearing acquired underway earlier this thirty day period and Mr Aamer has believed it could previous two to a few many years.

Talking about Mr Bayoh’s loved ones, Mr Anwar claimed: “They have been preventing for justice for some 7 several years now and this struggle is not more than.”

The law firm explained to supporters: “When Sheku died in police custody seven years back, he was a 31-yr-aged person, he was unarmed which we know is factually right.

“He was strolling down the street, law enforcement experienced been identified as to an incident right after they acquired reviews that a black man had been acting erratically and carrying a knife.

“When the law enforcement arrived, Sheku was unarmed.

“People discuss about George Floyd. George Floyd experienced one particular law enforcement officer restraining him. Men and women really should know that up to 7 police officers have been concerned in the restraint of Sheku Bayoh.

“His loved ones at the time, didn’t ask for nearly anything exclusive. They asked for justice. Justice must be a correct and not a privilege.

“The spouse and children spoke some two months following Sheku died. They refused to speculate and they normally explained if Sheku broke the law then the police had a suitable to act, but any power applied experienced to be acceptable, reputable and proportionate.

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“His family then began a marketing campaign for justice. And some four decades later on, they were denied that justice by the Lord Advocate and they were informed there would be no rates introduced. 5 years later on that was confirmed when the Govt announced the inquiry.

“The spouse and children are asking for this inquiry to be robust, to be impartial and to supply the real truth to this household since they know devoid of fact, they will in no way get justice.

“Our justice procedure in this country likes to discuss about becoming colour blind. As considerably as Sheku Bayoh’s family members is anxious, the color of his skin, his blackness was applied as a weapon. It was seen as a weapon. We are in now for the lengthy haul. This inquiry is anticipated to final two to three decades. Right now is a significant day.

“If we march for George Floyd, if black life essentially make a difference in Scotland then it necessitates all all those hundreds if not thousands of people who turned up for George Floyd.

“They have been combating for justice for some 7 decades now and this wrestle is not in excess of.”

Mrs Bayoh thanked the protesters for coming to exhibit solidarity with the loved ones forward of the proof being heard.

Penny Gower, from Stand Up to Racism Edinburgh, stated: “We were being so stunned at the demise of Sheku Bayoh we acquired together with the relatives there and we set up Stand Up to Racism in Edinburgh seven yrs in the past so we have been on a very long journey and there have been considerably also lots of deaths and injuries on the streets of Edinburgh, which is not the picture that the vacationers see.

“What has been amazing during is the dignity of the loved ones of Sheku Bayoh. They have picked the incorrect household for the reason that they never ever gave up. They have stood up time and time yet again.”