In a response to a social media video that seemed to depict a shop owner placing his hands around a woman's throat, an incensed crowd blocked a busy road in southeast
London today.
Dramatic footage, which circulated on social media yesterday, showed a confrontation between a woman and a man, believed to be Sohail Sindho, 45, the owner of Peckham Hair and Cosmetics. In the video, Sindho appears to place his hands around the woman's throat after she allegedly attempted to steal from his store.
This afternoon, a sizable crowd assembled outside the shop on Rye Lane, which had already closed due to news of the altercation spreading on social media.
Anti-racism activists were protesting against what they perceived as an "instance of everyday male violence against women."
The video, initially posted on Instagram, commences with Mr. Sindho standing behind the woman as they grapple with each other, while someone behind the camera threatens to call the police.
The woman retaliates by striking him over the head with a plastic shopping basket after he seemingly placed his hands around her neck.
The Metropolitan Police informed MailOnline that a woman was arrested on suspicion of assault and subsequently released on bail pending further investigations. They mentioned that the shop employee has not been arrested.
Sindho, the shop owner, alleged that the woman was the initial aggressor, asserting that she came to the shop to request a refund for some hair products she had purchased, leading to a confrontation when he refused.
The video initiated calls for residents to boycott the shop and sparked a planned protest outside the store at 2 p.m. today.
As the shop closed in advance of the protest, a crowd gathered in the area, with individuals peacefully demonstrating against what they saw as an "example of everyday male violence against women."
Initially, a small crowd gathered outside the shop with banners, and it gradually expanded as bystanders joined in.
A local resident, wearing a stab vest and claiming to provide security for the event, stated that he was present to ensure the community's safety during the protest.
Protesters continued to gather nearly two hours after the demonstration began, obstructing the road and pavement on Rye Lane.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement concerning the initial incident and the subsequent protest this afternoon.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Southwark, told MailOnline: "We understand that people may be concerned about a video circulating online depicting an incident in a shop.
Our officers responded on Monday and are actively investigating the full circumstances of the incident. This investigation will include reviewing the actions of all parties involved. I would like to express my gratitude to our local community for remaining calm and allowing us the time to conduct a thorough investigation.
If you possess information that could assist us, I urge you to come forward."
The Metropolitan Police requested that anyone with information about this incident contact 101, quoting CAD 3943/11Sep. It is not believed that Mr. Sondhi has been arrested in connection with the Metropolitan Police's response to the initial incident. Photo by Tarquin Binary, Wikimedia commons.