The death of a 26-year-old black man, killed by a white policeman, arouses great excitement in Grand Rapids, Michigan (northern United States).
Patrick Lyoya died on April 4, but it was only after the publication of videos showing the circumstances of his death that anger took hold of the population.
On Wednesday evening, several dozen demonstrators gathered in the city center to protest. They notably carried “Black Lives Matter” signs, the emblematic slogan of the anti-racist protests of 2020 after the death of George Floyd. “No justice, no peace”, also chanted the demonstrators, reports AFP.
HAPPENING NOW: Hundreds gather outside the Grand Rapids Police Department to protest the shooting of 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya. Police released videos of the deadly police shooting earlier today. @wwmtnews pic.twitter.com/tU0Drx3NJo
—Trisha McCauley (@TrishaWWMT) April 13, 2022
Protesters march peacefully around the Grand Rapids police station after video emerged showing a policeman shooting Patrick Lyoya in the head.
pic.twitter.com/xaIVCyeURW— Congaanel سامبا (@SambaCongaan) April 14, 2022
The policeman placed on leave
The shocking images circulating on social networks show the white policeman lying on the back of Patrick Lyoya. The latter tries to struggle before the officer shoots him, visibly in the head. According to initial information, the altercation had broken out after a traffic stop and the two men found themselves on the ground to take control of the police officer’s taser.
The latter, whose identity has not been revealed, has been placed on paid leave while the Michigan State Police investigate.
“I consider this a tragedy,” Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said Wednesday at a news conference where the videos were released. “The loss of a life, regardless of the circumstances, is sad, and I know it will impact our city,” he added.
Images of Wednesday’s protests are reminiscent of events in 2020. The death of African-American George Floyd, who was killed by a white police officer who knelt on his neck as he repeated he could not breathe, sent shock waves around the world.
Demonstrations against police violence and for racial equality had been initiated in the United States before spreading to several countries.
