Sister of man who died in custody warns of Floyd protests’ virus risk
THE SISTER of a man who died in police custody in Scotland has urged those demanding justice for American George Floyd to protest digitally due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kadijartu Johnson, a nurse, issued a joint statement with lawyer and campaigner Aamer Anwar, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, and Labour MSP Anas Sarwar.
Her brother, Sheku Bayoh, died in 2015, aged 32, after being restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
His family believes race played a part in his death and a public inquiry was announced by Mr Yousaf in November last year, with which Police Scotland pledged to “engage fully”.
Ms Johnson said she will not attend protests planned for Sunday, saying she believed the danger of spreading coronavirus was too great.
She said: “As a staff nurse I know the deadly impact of the virus and I would worry about social distancing on the day and the lives of my family and other lives being put at risk.
“Sadly we cannot attend, nor will we encourage others to go because we believe a virtual protest would be far more effective and involve those unable to attend because of the risk.
“I hope that you will join our campaign, we have fought for five years for justice for my dead brother Sheku and believe Black Lives Matter is as relevant in Scotland.”
Police Scotland assistant chief constable Kenny MacDonald echoed the pleas not to gather in large groups and to use digital alternatives.
He said: “Like many people in Scotland, indeed across the world, I am shocked and distressed about the dreadful death of George Floyd and subsequent events in the United States.
“Racism in all its forms is disgraceful and unacceptable.
“Those events do not reflect our style of policing in Scotland and we continue to value the strong bond of trust with all our citizens and communities.”
It came as mourners converged in Minneapolis for the first in a series of a memorials to Mr Floyd,
Nurse Kadijartu Johnson, sister of Sheku Bayoh who died in police custody. whose death at the hands of police has sparked protests around the world.
The out-of-work bouncer, who had been arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store, died after a white officer pressed his knee on his neck for several minutes as he pleaded for breath.
In the US, where protests had been marked by bouts of lawlessness, relative quiet continued for a second night following a decision to charge the three other officers at the scene of Mr Floyd’s death with aiding and abetting a murder.
Authorities also filed a new, more serious second-degree murder charge against the officer at the centre of the case, Derek Chauvin.
The new charges punctuated an unprecedented week in modern American history, of largely peaceful protests, rocked by bursts of violence.
In Minneapolis alone, more than 220 buildings were damaged or burned.
Nationwide, more than 10,000 people have been arrested and more than a dozen deaths have been reported. From Tel Aviv to Rio de Janeiro, Mr Floyd’s death has triggered demonstrations, with protesters decrying inequality, police brutality and other problems in their own countries.
We believe a virtual protest would be far more effective.