Black Lives Matter protesters demonstrate at petrol station where police Tasered father in front of his terrified child
- Group of up to 15 people gathered at the petrol station in Stretford, Manchester
- Clip showed a scrap between police and Desmond Mombeyarara on Wednesday
- The man is seen standing next to marked police car and puts down his crying son
- Moments later he falls to the ground after a Taser is fired by one of the policemen
- Greater Manchester Police later revealed it had referred the matter to the IOPC
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Anti-racism campaigners have staged a protest over police use of a Taser on a man in front of his distressed child.
A group of up to 15 people observed Covid-19 social distancing rules as they gathered at a petrol station forecourt in Stretford, Manchester, where the incident took place.
Mobile phone footage widely shared on social media showed an altercation on Wednesday at 11pm between Desmond Mombeyarara and two white police officers.
A group of up to 15 people observed Covid-19 social distancing rules as they gathered at a petrol station forecourt in Stretford, Manchester, where the incident took place on
Mobile phone footage widely shared on social media showed an altercation on Wednesday at 11pm between a black man and two white police officers
Greater Manchester Police has voluntarily referred the matter to the Independence Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Pictured: The protesters today
Mombeyarara is seen standing next to a marked police car and puts down his crying son before moments later he falls to the ground as a Taser is fired by one of the officers.
The boy then becomes hysterical and screams ‘daddy’.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham questioned whether the Taser use was ‘proportionate or justified’ and has demanded an urgent review.
Greater Manchester Police has voluntarily referred the matter to the Independence Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Among the protesters at the event staged by Stand Up to Racism on Saturday were Paul Davidson, a minister at the Church of God of Prophecy.
He said: ‘I am here because this news has outraged black people nationally. We are obviously keen to find out what the details are and whether there are other circumstances we haven’t learned from the immediate clip.
‘But if the immediate clip is anything to go by then people have questions to answer and we should expect answers as a community.
‘This sort of behaviour should not be expected by anyone in a civilised society.’
Demonstrators at the forecourt on Saturday hold Black Lives Matters’ signs reading ‘no justice, no police’
Among the protesters at the event staged by Stand Up to Racism on Saturday were Paul Davidson, a minister at the Church of God of Prophecy
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham questioned whether the Taser use was ‘proportionate or justified’ and has demanded an urgent review. Pictured: The protesters today
The man who was tasered, Desmond Ziggy Mombeyarara, 34, appeared before magistrates on Friday where he admitted a number of offences including speeding, drink driving, failing to stop and unnecessary travel. He denied two counts of resisting a constable in the execution of their duty and the case was adjourned to a later date. Pictured: Protesters today
In an interview with the Times, Mombeyara said he did not believe such a ‘magnitude of force’ was warranted. Pictured: Protesters holding up signs today
Mombeyarara, 34, appeared before magistrates on Friday where he admitted a number of offences including speeding, drink driving, failing to stop and unnecessary travel.
He denied two counts of resisting a constable in the execution of their duty and the case was adjourned to a later date.
In an interview with the Times, Mombeyara said he did not believe such a ‘magnitude of force’ was warranted.
He said his son was still in shock and thought that police had shot him.
He told the newspaper: ‘I was saying to the officers, ”Let us calm the situation for the little one because the little one doesn’t feel comfortable”. But they were making out like I was using him as a human shield.’