#EndSARS: Nigerians Protest In London Against Violence

#EndSARS: Nigerians Protest In London Against Violence

Netsong
Updated October 24, 2020

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Protestors shout slogans as they raise their fists during a protest action against police brutality in Nigeria, in New Cavendish Street in central London on October 24, 2020.  (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

 

Around 500 demonstrators took to the streets of London on Saturday in support of youth #EndSARS protests in Nigeria that have spiralled into widespread unrest. 

President Muhammadu Buhari was the focus of the anger for his handling of anti-police brutality protests against the loathed Special Anti-Robbery Squad or SARS.

Black-clad demonstrators, mostly part of Britain’s large Nigerian diaspora, held signs reading “End SARS, end police brutality” and sang “Buhari is a dead man” as they made their way through the streets of the capital.

Others waved Nigerian flags, with some splashed with red paint to make them look bloodstained, while some wore green and white masks and shouted through loudspeakers as they protested at London landmarks, including Parliament Square and the BBC.

 

Protestors raise their fists during a protest action against police brutality in Nigeria, as they kneel in New Cavendish Street in central London on October 24, 2020. – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to what he called “brutality” by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

Protestors raise their fists during a protest action against police brutality in Nigeria, as they kneel in New Cavendish Street in central London on October 24, 2020. – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to what he called “brutality” by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

 

Buhari scrapped the feared police unit and pledged reforms, but the demands from the young protesters broadened to calls for more sweeping change.

Police shootings of unarmed demonstrators sparked international condemnation and unleashed chaos in Africa’s biggest city of Lagos.

 

Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

 

Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

 

Nigeria was rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

 

Protestors carry placards as they gather for a protest against police brutality in Nigeria, in Parliament Square in central London on October 24, 2020. – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to what he called “brutality” by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

 

Shops lifted their shutters and market traders set out their stalls Saturday, as the city cautiously reopened after a curfew was eased following days of unrest.

Police stations were burnt, supermarkets looted and vehicles destroyed as violence flared across the economic hub of 20 million, with officials accusing “hoodlums” of taking advantage of the mayhem.

 

Protestors carry placards and shout slogans against police brutality in Nigeria, as they march in central London on October 24, 2020. – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to what he called “brutality” by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

Protestors shout slogans during a protest action against police brutality in Nigeria, outside the BBC offices in central London on October 24, 2020. – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to what he called “brutality” by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

Protestors carry placards as they gather for a protest against police brutality in Nigeria, in Parliament Square in central London on October 24, 2020. – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to what he called “brutality” by police in Nigeria, which has been rocked by two weeks of protests. Guterres said gunmen that opened fire on peaceful protesters Tuesday evening in Lagos caused “multiple deaths” and many injuries. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)