Hundreds gather for slain Malmö teen's funeral
Hundreds of Malmö residents turned out on Wednesday to follow the casket of 15-year-old Ardiwan Samir, who died after being shot on New Year's Eve, in a march arranged by the boy's family as a protest against violence.
The 15-year-old boy was shot in the head and chest on New Year's Eve near his home in the city's Rosengård district and died from his injuries the following day.
The killing sparked a strong reaction from Malmö residents, who staged an anti-violence demonstration last week as his family called upon the government to tighten gun laws and take action against violence in the city.
"Now the police and the government must act," Samir's father, Diaa Noman, told the Aftonbladet newspaper last week.
"It's not acceptable that people are killed in Malmö and in Rosengård. Now even children are the victims."
Samir's family had received permission from police to allow the deceased boy's funeral procession to double as another demonstration against violence in the city.
“I live in Malmö myself and have children. Obviously I'm concerned about the situation,” a teary-eyed Sara Kassen told the local Skånskan newspaper as the procession passed by Wednesday morning.
When the procession started, a light rain was falling as several hundred people bearing white and yellow roses, as well as signs with slogans such as “Stop violence and illegal weapons”, gathered outside the family's home near Möllevångstorget in central Malmö.
The solemn gathering turned utterly quiet, save for a few sobs of sorrow, as the black hearse carrying Samir's body started to drive away, according to the TT news agency.
The procession was also followed by a large crowd of journalists and photographers.
Around 11.15am, the procession was completed and Samir's hearse proceeded to Fosie Church for the funeral.
The demonstration remained peaceful as it made it's way through central Malmö, attracting many visibly moved onlookers who lined the sidewalks to join as the procession passed.
Comments
See Also
The 15-year-old boy was shot in the head and chest on New Year's Eve near his home in the city's Rosengård district and died from his injuries the following day.
The killing sparked a strong reaction from Malmö residents, who staged an anti-violence demonstration last week as his family called upon the government to tighten gun laws and take action against violence in the city.
"Now the police and the government must act," Samir's father, Diaa Noman, told the Aftonbladet newspaper last week.
"It's not acceptable that people are killed in Malmö and in Rosengård. Now even children are the victims."
Samir's family had received permission from police to allow the deceased boy's funeral procession to double as another demonstration against violence in the city.
“I live in Malmö myself and have children. Obviously I'm concerned about the situation,” a teary-eyed Sara Kassen told the local Skånskan newspaper as the procession passed by Wednesday morning.
When the procession started, a light rain was falling as several hundred people bearing white and yellow roses, as well as signs with slogans such as “Stop violence and illegal weapons”, gathered outside the family's home near Möllevångstorget in central Malmö.
The solemn gathering turned utterly quiet, save for a few sobs of sorrow, as the black hearse carrying Samir's body started to drive away, according to the TT news agency.
The procession was also followed by a large crowd of journalists and photographers.
Around 11.15am, the procession was completed and Samir's hearse proceeded to Fosie Church for the funeral.
The demonstration remained peaceful as it made it's way through central Malmö, attracting many visibly moved onlookers who lined the sidewalks to join as the procession passed.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.