Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Southampton central police station on Saturday to demonstrate against the murder of teenager Henry Nowak, with dozens later clashing with police near the home of his killer, Vickrum Digwa. The far-right activist Tommy Robinson addressed the crowd, accusing police of institutional racism.
Protesters chanted slogans including “Racist police, off our streets” and “Shame on you”, holding union flags and signs reading “Henry’s blood is on your hands” and “Save our kids”. A few hundred then marched to the area where the murder took place, but police blocked them from entering Digwa’s street. Some protesters threw bottles, beer cans and wheelie bins at officers.
After Digwa was jailed, Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, condemned the “inhumane and degrading” treatment of his son by police but urged that his death not be used to create division. Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said: “If Henry wasn’t white, he wouldn’t have been handcuffed.” Nick Tenconi, leader of the UK Independence Party, led a prayer and criticised “woke policing”.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence, stating: “The scenes this evening in Portswood are completely unacceptable. There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder.”
