"nothing justifies that level of violence, nothing."
The police violence and force used at Greater Manchester Airport have led to anger and public demands for justice.
For some, what they have seen is a sign of deep-rooted and toxic structural racism and discrimination.
A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer has since been “removed from all duties”.
The suspension occurred after a video showed a detained man being brutally kicked at Greater Manchester Airport.
The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), acknowledging that the footage captures a “truly shocking event” that they “understand creates alarm”.
An official GMP statement stressed that a “violent assault” on officers led them to use force.
However, for many, the brute force and violence displayed by officers in the video is inexcusable.
The public reaction across social media has overarchingly been of shock, horror and dismay.
GMP is facing severe criticism for officers using excessive force. Criticism and tensions are also mounting due to what some state is evidence of ongoing institutional racism and discrimination.
People on X are calling for officers involved to be removed from the police force and charged.
British trade unionist Howard Beckett, posting on X, wrote:
“The most brutal of police assaults on two men.
“Not in Tel Aviv. In Manchester airport.
“They are tasered. Kicked in the head. Stamped on the head. Hit on the head with a taser gun, and then a knee is dropped into their kidneys.”
He finished by stating it was “thuggery in uniforms”.
People have shared videos of a second case of police violence, linked to the first incident, on social media. The new videos caused further shock, distress, and anger.
The footage appeared to show a police officer pepper-spraying a man, putting him in a headlock, and forcing him to the ground.
The man was shown standing and recording when confronted by police.
Next, officers handcuffed him and a second man, taking them away.
What happened next to the men is presently unknown.
A man in a red shirt in the video tells officers they have “done nothing” and are “civilians”, while others plead with the police to stop.
Watch the Videos. Warning – Distressing Images
Video footage of what happened BEFORE, during and AFTER the incident of police brutality at Manchester Airport.
The officer in question has now been removed from operational duties. https://t.co/4AswcesqtM pic.twitter.com/GdjlPWWfdq
— Dilly Hussain (@DillyHussain88) July 24, 2024
Mariam, speaking to DESIblitz, reflected on both the videos she had seen:
“It’s making me feel sick just thinking about it. I don’t know what happened before the cops did what they did, but nothing justifies that level of violence, nothing.
“I can’t imagine the trauma, especially for the mum. Cops are meant to be there to protect and serve; what happened at Manchester Airport shows something different.
“The fear people who are aren’t White will have about someone they love having the same happen to them. What is happening to our country?
“How can they say that is justified when arresting someone? How? He was on the ground; what threat could he be?
“And the second video, how exactly can the cops justify it? All the man was doing was standing and recording.”
In the late evening of July 24, in response to the police brutality in the first incident, hundreds gathered outside Rochdale police station in Manchester.
Protestors chanted: “GMP, shame on you.”
Birmingham-based lawyer Akhmed Yakoob shared a video with the two men, named Amaad and Fahir, detailing that they made their own way to the hospital with head injuries.
He went on to say that they would file a formal complaint of assault and wounding.
JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED??#akhmedyakoob #mauriceandrews #law #legal #justice #2024 #trending #viral #police #court #lawyer #suits pic.twitter.com/9OPCOO0YQF
— Akhmed Yakoob (@Akhmedyakoob1) July 24, 2024
Issues of discrimination and institutional racism have chased the police force for years.
Recent months have further highlighted the need for significant and urgent structural reform.
Days ago, The Independent reported that investigations focused on seven GMP police officers over racial discrimination allegations.
On July 3, 2024, accusations of racial discrimination were made. As a result, five officers were suspended, and two were placed on restricted duties.
In January 2024, Gavin Stephens, the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), emphasised that he personally believed discrimination in policing operated at an “institutional level”.
Accordingly, what has happened at Greater Manchester Airport and the public response are systemic of wider entrenched problems and distrust in authorities.
Thus, it has led to a public outcry against discrimination and excessive force by authorities.
People and groups are organising protests and demanding justice.
For example, Manchester Stand Up To Racism has called for people to join them to protest against “racism” and “Islamophobia” and to say no to “cover-ups” on the evening of July 25.
As people continue to circulate videos of police violence, anger and dismay mount across the UK and on social media.
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