'It was absolutely appalling': Racial abuse hurled at #JusticeforShukri protesters in Northampton

"I think it was a fantastic event but it was disappointing that some people tried to ruin it"
Protestors support the #JusticeforShukri campaign in Northampton. Photo: Muna CaliProtestors support the #JusticeforShukri campaign in Northampton. Photo: Muna Cali
Protestors support the #JusticeforShukri campaign in Northampton. Photo: Muna Cali

Racial abuse was hurled at demonstrators in Northampton calling for justice for a 12-year-old refugee girl who drowned in a river last year.

Protestors gathered at the top of Abington Street to mark the first anniversary of Shukri Yahye-Abdi's death yesterday (Thursday, July 2).

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A man was arrested for his offensive comments and gestures while a woman was also verbally abusive towards the mostly-ethnic minority protestors.

Labour borough councillor for Castle ward, Muna Cali, with a police officer and another protester at the #JusticeforShukri demonstration in Northampton. Photo: Muna CaliLabour borough councillor for Castle ward, Muna Cali, with a police officer and another protester at the #JusticeforShukri demonstration in Northampton. Photo: Muna Cali
Labour borough councillor for Castle ward, Muna Cali, with a police officer and another protester at the #JusticeforShukri demonstration in Northampton. Photo: Muna Cali

Rally organiser and Labour borough councillor for Castle ward, Muna Cali, condemned the actions of a few passers-by but said overall the protest went well.

"We had a few people walking past and doing what we were actually protesting against - that wasn't a nice atmosphere to be in," she said.

"I felt really shocked and disappointed by the behaviour of some people, it was absolutely appalling."

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Shukri, who came to the UK from Kenya in 2017, died in the River Irwell in Bury, Greater Manchester, on June 27, 2019.

Protestors support the #JusticeforShukri campaign in Northampton. Photo: Muna CaliProtestors support the #JusticeforShukri campaign in Northampton. Photo: Muna Cali
Protestors support the #JusticeforShukri campaign in Northampton. Photo: Muna Cali

An ongoing inquest was told an unnamed child had confessed to telling her: "If you don't get in the water I'm going to kill you."

Her death has been highlighted by supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement as an example of racial injustice and bullying with thousands attending protests in her name across the country.

A large group of people of different ages but mostly from ethnic and religious minorities gathered outside the BBC Northampton offices to support the #JusticeforShukri campaign.

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Speeches were made by a variety of speakers including the imam at Northampton Mosque and Islamic Centre and Cllr Cali about inequality and showing solidarity with victims.

But the event was marred by the incidents of racism as well as a van driver trying to go through the group and other complaints from bystanders.

Cllr Cali said: "I think it was a fantastic event but I think it was disappointing that some people tried to ruin it.

"But we didn't allow it to happen as I told them to stay focused and remember why we are here."

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Cllr Cali said it was great to see people of all ages and genders involved in the demonstration, with many moved to tears.

She said plenty of passers-by showed their solidarity with them and they will continue to stand against racism and inequality.

"This was a rally to show solidarity and support and love for the family of that little girl," she said.

"We deal day-to-day with brutality and abuse and racism but obviously we can't get our heads around it and feel for ourselves.

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"We need to keep our heads up and obviously it's not okay - the racism and bullying - but we need to show an example for those people that we're above this.

"We'll stay together as a black nation.- obviously it will take time but I believe it will happen."