Angry protest at death in custody

Suzanne Beishon, youth organiser, London Socialist Party

At least 2,000 people assembled on Wandsworth Road in Lambeth on 16 April to demonstrate against the death of reggae artist Smiley Culture.

Smiley Culture was killed during a police raid on his home.

The four officers present claim he stabbed himself whilst making a cup of tea!

The demonstration, joined by families of a number of other black men who had died in police custody, was an expression of anger at police violence. The Socialist Party leaflet on the demonstration demanded an open community inquiry into Smiley’s death.

“This inquiry should be made up of elected representatives from the local trade unions, community organisations and especially the youth.

“It should be allowed full access to all involved in the police operations that led to Smiley’s death and take all the evidence it requires to reach a conclusion.”

The demonstration, chanting the slogan ‘no justice, no peace!’, marched to New Scotland Yard where it heard from members of Smiley Culture’s family and other victims of police oppression.