Jean Charles de Menezes

Public reaction

The reaction of the British public to the shooting was mixed. While many sympathised with the need for the police officer in question to make a split-second decision, and others that is was simply a case of collateral damage, others condemned the killings as an example of police brutality. {{ref|PublicReaction}}.

Related Topics:
Collateral damage - Police brutality

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The reaction of the Brazilian public was overwhelmingly negative. Protests and demonstrations were held in Brazil {{ref|BrazilProtests}}, and some Brazilian commentators noted that incidents such as Menezes' killing are more typical of a developing country such as Brazil than a developed nation like the UK. {{ref|3rdWorldParallel}}. The level of Brazilian protestation raised criticism with some British commentators who noted that extra-judicial executions by the police in Brazil are far from rare. An Amnesty International report published in 2004 pointed out that official figures show that in 2003 police shot dead 915 people in São Paulo alone, while 1,195 were killed by police in Rio de Janeiro. Amnesty also reported that the such deaths were rarely investigated.http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1676472005

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A vigil at Stockwell Station was held with some of the relatives on the Sunday immediately following the shooting and police apology. Another, called by the Stop the War Coalition, was held on the 25 July. They claim a thousand people attended and then several hundred people, led by a group of Brazilians (some of whom had been friends with Jean Charles), began an impromptu demonstration. When they approached Westminster they were stopped and turned back by police at Vauxhall Bridge, the location of the MI6 building. {{ref|Shoottokillisstatemurder}}

Related Topics:
Stop the War Coalition - 25 July - Westminster - Vauxhall Bridge

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On 23 August 2005 Dania Gorodi, whose sister Michelle Otto was killed in the 7 July 2005 London bombings, asked for an end to the criticism of Sir Ian Blair over the Menezes shooting, which she felt had moved the media focus away from the bombings. "People have lost sight of the bigger picture," she said. "We need to support the police right now, not crucify one man. This is unprecedented in British history. He is doing the best he can." {{ref|TelegraphGorodi}}

Related Topics:
23 August - 2005 - 7 July 2005 London bombings

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