Sheku Bayoh family lead anti-racism march in Glasgow
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, Fife, 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”.
The family of Sheku Bayou lead the St Andrews Day march into George Square #nojusticenopeace#antiracism#stillwerisepic.twitter.com/NruCmgdPqn
— STUC (@ScottishTUC) November 24, 2018
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, chair of the STUC Black Workers’ Committee, said: “The undertaking of anti-racist and anti-fascist work has never felt as important and urgent as it does in 2018.
Marching against racism is a simple act of solidarity with all those who face oppression and are denied justice not just here in Scotland but internationally. Very importantly the Sheku Bayoh family will lead today’s march with @AamerAnwar 10.30am Glasgow Green. “Still We Rise” pic.twitter.com/NBK1pcQeHO
— Suki Sangha (@sukisangh) November 24, 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.
19 years ago I marched with the parents of murdered Surjit Singh Chhokar, today their granddaughter @sukisangh marched with the family of #ShekuBayoh who died in police custody on 3May2015/ at today’s @ScottishTUC St Andrews March against Racism #NoJusticeNoPeace✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/kNx0yRTkrC
— Aamer Anwar🎗🌹 (@AamerAnwar) November 24, 2018
“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.”