Sheku Bayoh family lead anti-racism march as people show solidarity

Protest in response to news officers will not be prosecuted

The family of a man who died in police custody have led thousands of people on an anti-racism march in Glasgow.

Sheku Bayoh, 31, died after being restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy in May 2015.

In October a Crown Office investigation ruled there would be no criminal charges against officers in connection with the case. It said it had conducted its probe with “professionalism, integrity and respect”.

Suki Sangha, the granddaughter of Sikh waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar, who was murdered in 1998, walked alongside Mr Bayoh’s family.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, MSP Anas Sarwar and lawyer Aamer Anwar also led the march.

Ms Sangha, chairwoman of the STUC Black Workers’ Committee, said: “The undertaking of anti-racist and antifascist work has never felt as important and urgent as it does in 2018.

“The far-right are becoming more visible in public life across Britain, Europe and beyond.

“Years of constitutional, economic and political crisis have replaced hope with fear after fear. We know that racism is a by-product of capitalism, we know who our real enemy is.

“We need to learn and listen to what freedom and justice means for us all. Let us go beyond marches and build solidarity in every place we enter.

“The news recently that the nine police officers involved in the death of Sheku Bayoh will not be prosecuted should not shock us. It should cause fury. How many times must we see black communities plead for justice?

“But our anger means nothing unless we are willing to show Sheku’s family our upmost solidarity.

“Solidarity not just in name, but in practice.”

Mr Bayoh died after being restrained by officers responding to a call about a man brandishing a knife.