London resident Rashan Charles died after being apprehended by police following a chase in east London. The footage of the chase appeared online Saturday, July 22 spurring a renewed conversation about police brutality in Great Britain. 

#JusticeforRash popped up instantly as Twitter users began to demand answers for the death of the 20-year-old Charles. According to Metropolitan Police, Charles was followed by foot into a local shop after officers attempted to stop a car in Hackney, east London Saturday.

The CCTV footage made available to the public shows a man entering a shop and a police officer following behind. A uniformed officer blankets Charles back as he wrestles him down to the ground and handcuffs the man. Another white male enters the scene and puts a knee on Charles' back. It is not clear if this male in a black jacket is a police officer but the two continue to struggle with Charles until the end of the footage.

Twitter was quick to point out the racial undertones in the footage. Many users were passionately convinced the two white males were responsible for Charles' death.

Police released a statement after the incident to clarify details of the case. They claim Charles swallowed an object during the arrest. 

Simon Laurence, borough commander for Hackney said in a statement: 

“A man, who was in the car, was pursued on foot before entering a shop where he was seen to be trying to swallow an object. He was then taken ill.He was taken to hospital by the London ambulance service where, sadly, he died later that morning. Our thoughts remain with family and friends. The IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) has launched an independent investigation to establish what happened and has viewed the officers’ body-worn video."

Here is CCTV footage of the chase:  

The community organization Hackney Stand Up to Racism and Fascism plans on having a vigil for Charles tonight in east London. Here is the link for more details. 

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