Fireworks and bottles were thrown at police in east London on Friday night during a protest over the death of Rashan Charles.
The Metropolitan Police said the 20-year-old had been chased on foot after officers had attempted to stop a car in Kingsland Road, Hackney during the early hours of last Saturday (July 22) morning. After trying to swallow an object, he later became ill and died in hospital.
Protesters gathered in the area on Friday afternoon, some holding Black Lives Matter banners and placards. According to reports, violence broke out at around 8pm.
Officers have been subjected to abuse & violence. Whatever the frustrations, this is patently NOT what the family of Rashan Charles wanted. pic.twitter.com/X0WdLHHt0m
— Hackney Police (@MPSHackney) July 28, 2017
The BBC report that bins, mattresses and other objects were used to create roadblocks. By 10pm, missiles including bottles and fireworks were thrown at riot police officers as they moved towards the crowd.
https://twitter.com/omolaramart/status/891043558937030661
Several of the bins and mattresses used to block the road were later set alight, with many shop windows in the area also shattered. Motorists and pedestrians were warned to steer clear of the area.
Dalston right now, probs stay away if you're near pic.twitter.com/1fklh9c3A5
— Louise Donovan (@louisedonovan) July 28, 2017
At this stage, it is unclear if any arrests were made by police, although it is reported that the trouble had died down by 11pm.
