Senior leaders in the African community quickly intervened to de-escalate a protest in Footscray, Australia, after a man named Ahmed was shot and killed by police. Around 250 people attended the protest, with the majority being respectful. However, a small group of around 30 people became volatile, throwing bottles at police. Despite this, nobody was injured and no arrests were made. Community leader Berhan Ahmed emphasized the need for more mental health support instead of increased policing, leading the crowd to chant “compassion not bullets” as they marched in the Footscray CBD.
The area of Footscray has been experiencing a surge in crime and anti-social behavior, with long-term residents and business owners noting a significant deterioration in the past 18 months. Ahmed, the man who was shot and killed by police, was known as a kind man among locals. Police had been called to the scene after reports of him brandishing a knife near a shopping plaza. Despite being instructed to drop the weapon, Ahmed allegedly lunged at the officers with the knife, leading to them discharging their firearms. The officers involved were not equipped with tasers at the time, and police have denied that the incident was racially motivated.
Following Ahmed’s death, there have been calls for more police officers to be armed with Tasers, with the Victorian government announcing a program to arm all frontline officers with Tasers by 2021. Currently, about 60% of frontline police have Tasers, with the rollout expected to be completed by September next year. The two officers involved in Ahmed’s death are on leave as the investigation by the Homicide Squad with oversight from Professional Standards Command is ongoing. The incident will also be independently reviewed for the Coroner.
The African community in Footscray has expressed outrage and grief over Ahmed’s death, questioning why police did not attempt to de-escalate the situation and deploy non-lethal force before resorting to their guns. Community leaders have emphasized the need for more support and care for victims rather than weapon use by police. The incident has sparked protests and calls for greater accountability and transparency in policing practices. Despite tensions during the protest, community leaders were able to quickly intervene and prevent further escalation of the situation.
The protest in Footscray highlighted underlying tensions within the community and raised questions about police tactics and the use of firearms in volatile situations. Calls for more mental health support and alternatives to policing in situations involving individuals in crisis have been echoed by community leaders and residents. The shooting of Ahmed has prompted a broader discussion about police training, resources, and the need for de-escalation techniques in high-risk situations. The ongoing investigation and review of the incident will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Ahmed’s death and the actions of the police officers involved.
