Justice for Chris Kaba protests erupt outside Old Bailey as officer found not guilty of murder

Demonstrators holding signs reading 'Justice for Chris Kaba' gathered outside the Old Bailey this evening after the officer who fatally shot him was acquitted of murder.

Martyn Blake, 40, was dramatically cleared on Monday after facing accusations of unjustly shooting Mr. Kaba, 24, to prevent him from escaping police.

Courtesy: Reuters

The victim's family expressed their heartbreak and said they feel justice has not been served, describing themselves as 'devastated' by the jury's decision.

Courtesy: PA Wire

In the hours following the verdict, protesters, including members of the Black Lives Matter movement, gathered outside the Old Bailey in central London with placards opposing the ruling.

A prominent sign read 'Police are Perpetrators', while several others displayed messages like 'Justice for Chris Kaba.'

Earlier in the day, a protest in London drew hundreds of participants chanting, 'What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now. Say his name! Chris Kaba.'

After the jury's decision, Mr. Kaba's family expressed their 'unimaginable grief', adding: 'Today, we are devastated. The not guilty verdict leaves us with the deep pain of injustice adding to the unbearable sorrow we have felt since Chris was killed.'

Protesters outside the Old Bailey accused the police of 'racism' and 'corruption' following Blake's acquittal of murder.

Around 200 demonstrators held signs, including ones reading 'ashamed to be white' and 'born 1999, lynched 2022,' referencing Mr. Kaba's death.

In tears, Sheeda Queen, Mr. Kaba's cousin, addressed the crowd, calling the speed of Martyn Blake's acquittal 'shameful.'

She said: 'My family can't be here. On the first day, when we started the trial, we watched footage of Chris being killed. We carried on watching it because it was part of the evidence.'

'My auntie started shaking.. crying uncontrollably. My auntie and uncle both got health conditions because of this trauma.'

With chants of 'shame', she continued: 'We had some hope, just a little, that maybe Chris's case would be the first.'

'Are we surprised though? So shameful that we are not surprised the verdict came back guilty in a couple of hours.'

Protesters beat drums while chanting 'no justice, no peace,' as police officers observed the crowd with caution.