Family of Chris Kaba protests outside Old Bailey following police officer’s acquittal
The family of Chris Kaba gathered to protest outside the Old Bailey after a Metropolitan Police officer was cleared of his murder. Martyn Blake, 40, was acquitted by a jury at the Old Bailey after around three and a half hours of deliberation on Monday. The officer had been on trial for shooting 24-year-old Kaba through the front windscreen of an Audi Q8 in Streatham, south-east London, on 5 September 2022.
Emotions ran high as more than 100 people joined the family outside the court, with several speakers calling for “justice” for Kaba and his loved ones. Holding a banner that read, “We Keep Each Other Safe,” the crowd chanted, “Say his name – Chris Kaba,” as the road outside the court was closed off by the police. Kaba’s cousin shared the family’s distress at having to witness footage of his killing during the trial, recounting how his auntie reacted by shaking uncontrollably and crying.
The powerful demonstration outside the Old Bailey highlighted the deep emotions and frustrations felt by Kaba’s family and supporters following the verdict. The call for justice resonated strongly as the protesters demanded accountability and recognition for the loss they have suffered. The family’s unwavering determination to seek justice and uphold Kaba’s memory was evident in their poignant display of solidarity and determination outside the court. The protest served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and closure in cases of police violence.