Azelle Rodney murdered by Police (his murderer is still on a paid holiday)
The only break from work the murdering police deserve is time in prison | 30.09.2005 00:56 | Anti-militarism | Anti-racism | Repression | London
"My son, Azelle Rodney, was tragically killed on Saturday 30 April 2005 outside a pub in Hale Lane, Edgeware by an armed officer of the Metropolitan Police. Azelle, who had just celebrated his 24th birthday and was looking forward to the birth of his first baby, had been busy making plans to build a life for him and his new family."
Officer who shot and killed Azelle Rodney still on holiday as letters to Sir Ian Blair ignored (30/09/2005)
Members of the Azelle Rodney campaign are incensed that the officer who shot and killed him on 30 April has yet to be interviewed although he remains on holiday. Blair's orders to "shoot to kill" have murdered innocents, and Blair has not responded to Azelle's family.
The police must obey the same laws as everyone. Ignorant racist police should go to jail when they commit a crime such as the murder of Azelle Rodney. If bad police are allowed to go unpunished, they will continue to commit crimes. It is because we have a Prime Minister like Tony Blair that murderers are allowed to walk free. New Labour have caused the high crime rate.
Azelle Rodney (police shot him dead). His family want justice.
Shooting of Azelle Rodney identical to Jean Charles de Menezes killing
Azelle Rodney was shot in the head seven times and killed by a Metropolitan Police Officer on April 30 2005.
I really don’t understand why what happened to Azelle Rodney is not receiving much media attention
Susan Alexander, Spokesperson for the Azelle Rodney Campaign
No-one is questioning the grief and anguish suffered by the Menezes family following the police slaying of Jean Charles de Menezes on July 22.
The mainstream media have followed every move of the case as it has developed, firmly supporting the Menezes family and questioning the actions of the police operation that led to his death.
However, another young man was killed by the police three months earlier. Shot seven times in the head after a blotched operation by the Metropolitan police – yet no-one is questioning his death. Why?
Azelle Rodney was a 24-year old black man and his family and a growing band of campaigners want the same justice and same level of consideration being afforded to the Menezes family.
The Azelle Rodney campaign, knowing the trauma that the Menezes family are suffering, has stood shoulder to shoulder in support with them, even attending their rallies.
However, these gestures of solidarity have not been reciprocated and the family of Azelle Rodney and members of the campaign are appealing for support, not only from the black community, but from everyone who believes in the basic right to human life.
Susan Alexander, spokesperson for the Azelle Rodney Campaign told Black Britain:
“I really don’t understand why what happened to Azelle Rodney is not receiving much media attention.”
Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST said earlier this year: “Since 2000 there have been fourteen fatal police shootings, three of which have been black men.”
Referring to the shooting of Azelle Rodney she said:
“THIS DEEPLY CONTROVERSIAL DEATH ONCE AGAIN RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF YOUNG BLACK MEN WHO DIE FOLLOWING THE USE OF FORCE BY POLICE.”
CALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION OF OFFICER WHO FIRED LETHAL SHOTS
We want the immediate suspension of the officer who killed Azelle Rodney...people who live in the area where Azelle Rodney was killed are still really distressed about the shooting
Susan Alexander, Spokesperson for the Azelle Rodney Campaign
Susan Alexander of the Azelle Rodney campaign told Black Britain that today (Friday Sep 30) they will be taking to the streets with a number of volunteers to distribute appeals for more witnesses to the shooting to come forward.
The spokeswoman said that when the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) first set up appeal boards in Edgware they were not in prominent places where they could be seen from the road.
She added: “There are still people coming to us and giving us information so the IPCC have maybe not done such a good job of getting information from witnesses.
We accept that they look for witnesses and ask people questions but who are they approaching?”
Speaking of her frustration with the progression of the IPCC case, Ms Alexander told Black Britain:
“We feel that the IPCC are giving us fragments of things but are not really addressing the issues we want.
We want the immediate suspension of the officer who killed Azelle Rodney.”
Letters sent by the family to Sir Ian Blair, one hand delivered have yet to meet a response. The Azelle Rodney Campaign are frustrated by the way they have been ignored by the Metropolitan Police Chief.
Ms Alexander said: “People who live in the area where Azelle Rodney was killed are still really distressed about the shooting.”
Earlier this month Black Britain received a statement from the Deputy Chair of the IPCC, John Wadham, regarding the Azelle Rodney case, which read:
“We have met Azelle Rodney’s family on a regular basis, about once a month and the IPCC has disclosed as much information as is legally possible.
While it will not be of much comfort to the family, some information has not yet been disclosed because of legal issues we have explained to them.
We have to be careful that we do not prejudice any potential prosecutions.”
Appeal by Azelle Rodney Campaign
* Were you in Edgware on Saturday 30 April 2005?
* Did you see anything?
* Were you passing by on the bus or in a car?
* Were you in the nearby Harvester or pub?
If you have any information or would like to talk to someone in the strictest confidence you can contact the family solicitor:
Daniel Machover
Hickman & Rose Solicitors
07773 341096 ( 9 – 5pm)
by deborah@thecolourful.net
News@blackbritain.co.uk
http://www.blackbritain.co.uk/news/details.aspx?i=1750&c=uk&h=Officer+who+shot+and+killed+Azelle+Rodney+still+on+holiday+as+letters+to+Sir+Ian+Blair+ignored
http://www.mikeypowell-campaign.org.uk/azellerodney
A family spokesperson said, “Azelle was a very caring, sensitive, funny and generous person who always had a big grin on his face. He will be greatly missed by his mother, father, 2 brothers, partner, extended families, friends, and community.
“The family would like to express their sincere thanks and kind words of comfort and support throughout these days of sadness.”
Azelle’s baby daughter was born the day before his funeral, and now sadly his partner, Monique, and daughter will face a life without him.
Show your support for the campaign, protest, and write to your newspaper to say how concerned you are.
http://www.mikeypowell-campaign.org.uk/azellerodney
The only break from work the murdering police deserve is time in prison
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