On the 15th of May, Yves Sakila was brutally ‘detained’ and killed on the streets of Dublin, by so-called ‘security’ staff.
During this utterly disturbing incident, his head was forcefully shoved into the ground, while multiple ‘security’ staff knelt on his neck and placed their entire bodyweight on him.
A human-being, a man who has lived in Ireland for more than two decades, his life cruelly and savagely taken over an allegation of shoplifting.
This incident follows the disgusting and extremely harmful comments made by former Free State leader Bertie Ahern surrounding African and Congolese migrants. This cannot continue, Ireland has always prided itself on being more than welcoming. We must not fall for the anti-migrant rhetoric perpetuated by the state, which is constructed solely to distract us from the real issues at hand, capitalism and the normalisation of both partitionist states.
Words are simply not enough, condemnation is not enough. We must not stand idly by and watch any life be viciously cut short by such ruthless individuals. There can only be public outrage. We must continue to fight against systemic racism and brutality.
Our thoughts are with Sakila’s family. Justice for Yves Sakila.
