- The Guardian
- Issue #2143
Police shot Melbourne man Abdifatah Ahmed on 17 April claiming he rushed at them with a knife. Calling for police reform and an investigation, a crowd of hundreds of protestors formed. Since his death there have been rallies and vigils across Melbourne. People are calling for real change to the way police use lethal force. Marchers called clearly for justice for Abidfatah, claiming he was “murdered by police.”
Victoria Police have rejected the claim that the shooting was racially motivated, saying that the police who shot Abdifatah didn’t have tasers and had no choice when he allegedly charged them with a knife. However the force has form on racism, with training materials uncovered that defending the practices of the Stolen Generations time, and employers in Sunshine police station being disciplined for racism towards African migrants.
Protestors held up signs reading “Justice for Abdifatah murdered by police,” “Enough is enough,” and “Black lives matter.”
The protest was mostly peaceful, but some fighting broke out towards the end. ABC news reported that nobody was hurt and no charges were laid.
