The family of Rashan Charles, who died in police custody a week ago, has urged calm following huge protests in east London on Friday night.<br /><br />Their appeal came during a vigil for the 20-year-old where people laid flowers and tributes in his memory.<br /><br />Charles was wrestled to the ground in Dalston on July 22nd, and died about an hour later.<br /><br />Diane Abbott, the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington was at the vigil. “I am here to assure the parents and assure the community that I will stand by parents in their fight on the truth. We have all…well, most of us will have seen the video and there are questions to be answered and I will not rest until questions are answered.”<br /><br />Diane Abbott demands ‘peaceful protest’ after Rashan Charles demo turned violent https://t.co/Bk6CWOceie via MetroUK— Diane Abbott (HackneyAbbott) July 29, 2017<br /><br />Police attacked with firebombs in Hackney, east London as riots turn violent https://t.co/74Gnk38Gfy pic.twitter.com/O6bgZlHRog— The Independent (@Independent) July 29, 2017<br /><br />On Friday evening, a large gang of protesters, many of whom had their faces covered – clashed with riot police as tensions came to a head in Dalston.<br /><br />Bottles, stones and other objects were hurled at officers as they used shields to move into the violence in an attempt to bring it under control.<br /><br />The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has launched an investigation into Charles’ death.<br />
