Last week two grieving families gathered outside Brixton police station to extend solidarity to one another.
A weekly vigil outside Brixton police station for Sean Rigg, who died in police custody on 21 August 2008 after being arrested by local police (read an IRR News story: Two suspicious Black deaths in south London), was also supported by members of the Justice for Habib ‘Paps’ Ullah campaign. Habib died on 3 July after being arrested in a car park by police in High Wycombe (read an IRR News story: Family question police role in death of Asian man).
Saqib Deshmukh a supporter of the Justice for Habib ‘Paps’ Ullah campaign explained their action. ‘Nasir Ullah, Habib’s brother and supporters of the campaign wanted to give their condolences to the family of Sean Riggs and to show their solidarity by attending the weekly protest. There were exchanges of information and comparisons were drawn between what happened to Habib and Sean and the how the Met Police and Thames Valley Police have handled the respective deaths. Everyone was united in the need for a public inquiry into all deaths in custody and committed to pursuing their fights for justice to the highest level possible. Both campaigns vowed to continue to support one another. Sean Rigg’s family invited the Justice for Habib ‘Paps’ Ullah campaign to attend a press conference and the Sean Rigg family were invited to attend a candle lit vigil and public meeting on 3 December in High Wycombe.’
Related links
Facebook page on Sean Rigg family campaign