Henry Nowak, 18, was brutally stabbed to death and, in his final moments, was arrested after police in Southampton believed his attacker’s claim he himself was the victim of a racist attack
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered tonight to protest against the police following the murder of innocent teenager Henry Nowak.
But the poignant messages remembering the tragic university student were quickly overshadowed by what Stand up to Racism has branded “fascists and far right activists” who turned the demonstrations violent. Missiles were thrown at police near to where Henry was attacked.
The massive crowd, estimated to be more than 1,000-people strong, initially arrived outside Southampton Central Police Station to protest against Hampshire Constabulary after its officers arrested Henry, 18. People held banners and signs while chanting “Henry, Henry, Henry.” There were other chants of “racist police, off our streets, racist police, off our streets” during the march which began as a peaceful protest.
Mourners celebrated the life of Henry, who although stabbed and unable to breathe, was placed into handcuffs by officers with Hampshire Police in Southampton. They then appeared to downplay his final pleas for help. The teenager had been stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lied to police, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack – for which there was no evidence.
Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum 21-year term. Nowak’s parents said they held Digwa solely responsible for their son’s death but added the way he was treated was inhumane.
And the family’s pleas were echoed on the streets of the city on Tuesday night. The group marched from a police station in the centre of the port city to Portswood, where Henry died and where Digwa lived.
There, one told us he had joined the crowd “for Henry”. Jamie Smith, who lives in Southampton, said: “I am here for Henry. I saw the video online when he was handcuffed and dragged on the floor after being stabbed and I want the police to be held accountable.
“It angers me seeing them stood there in uniforms it angers me. We don’t want trouble but emotions are high
Rone Christian, who is a dad, joined the group. He said: “The only thing they care about is themselves. Nothing changes. I stand with Henry’s family. I just can’t imagine if something like that happened to my son. I don’t think the situation in the country is pretty and I question how any government can fix it.”
But police were soon pelted with missiles close to where Henry was fatally stabbed. Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at police in riot gear, eventually forcing officers and three police vans back from the line they had been holding. Reports claimed protesters set commercial bins on fire and rolled them towards officers.
This was despite the confirmation one officer involved in Henry’s arrest has since resigned. All the officers are being treated as witnesses as the police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct continues its independent investigation.
In a statement before the gathering, the Hampshire Constabulary said: “We know there has been significant commentary following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa yesterday afternoon, and we recognise the desire for answers about the police response that night.
“However, what we cannot accept is the significant spread of misinformation online by those intent of causing further fear and division by making threats to officers and sharing names that are simply not true.
“A police officer unrelated to this case has been misidentified online and subject to death threats.
“The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is continuing its independent investigation into our response on the night in question, following our self-referral the next day.
“While that progresses, we ask that people avoid harmful speculation online.”
Stand up to Racism tonight published a statement in which it condemned the behaviour of what it called “fascists and far right activists”. It said: “We are alarmed that known fascists and far right activists are trying to seize on this horrific killing and weaponise it to spread their message of hate.”
