Hundreds of people gathered outside Southampton central police station on Saturday for a “Justice for Henry Nowak” protest, with far-right activist Tommy Robinson and UKIP leader Nick Tenconi among the speakers. The demonstration followed the murder of Henry Nowak, who was stabbed five times by Vickrum Digwa. Protesters chanted “Racist police, off our streets” and held union flags and signs accusing police of failing to protect Nowak.
After the rally, a few hundred protesters marched to the area where the killing occurred. Police blocked them from entering the street where Digwa’s family lives, leading to clashes. Some protesters hurled bottles, beer cans and wheelie bins at officers, who responded with perspex shields. A police helicopter hovered overhead as stones were thrown.
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, accused Hampshire police of institutional racism, claiming that Nowak was handcuffed while being stabbed, whereas Digwa was not handcuffed. “If Henry wasn’t white, he wouldn’t have been handcuffed,” he said. Nick Tenconi led a prayer for Nowak and condemned “woke policing.” Actor Laurence Fox also attended, claiming 4,000 people were present, though others estimated around 1,000.
Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, had earlier condemned police treatment of his son but urged that his death not be used to create division. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the scenes “completely unacceptable” and warned that those responsible for violence would face the full force of the law.
