Touching moment Muslim man hugs people as East London rioters rampage and set bins alight
An elderly Muslim man was filmed trying to quell tensions by offering all he could to help a fellow Londoner while fires and riots broke out in the city's east.
Amid the grief and anger in a city on edge, one man offered understanding and a hug.
Protesters clashed with police as dumpster were lit on fire following the death of 25-year-old father Edir Frederico da Costa.
The 25-year-old died six days after police stopped and sprayed him with CS gas in Beckton while in a car with two other people, The Evening Standard reports.
His family alleges the encounter left Costa in a critical condition after police used severe force, leaving him with a broken and fatal head injuries.
The East London community members believe Costa was "brutally beaten" and demanded justice as they squared off with lines of armoured police on Sunday.
Amid the crowds of London civilians a distressed young man cried out about Edson's death, claiming he was the dead man's "brother".
"Do you know I am to him? I’m his brother. His mum is my mum's sister," the young man says on the verge of tears and panic.
Standing by him, listening to his anguish, the older man says, "I'm sorry bruv, I'm sorry... I feel what you're saying."
The older man embraces his young compatriot in an effort to simmer his inner tension.
The young man says, "This white policewoman, she was laughing at my face" but his anger and anguish dissipate.
The clip posted on the Newham People's Alliance Facebook group on Sunday was warmly received for its simplicity and power.
The description with the video posted on Sunday described how the elderly man used the "hugging technique to defuse tense stand off with police".
"This is the oldest technique in history," it read.
"Hug someone angry and he would calm down… #SpreadPeace #spreadLove”
Police squared off with around 200 protesters, some lighting bins on fire in the Forest Gate and Stratford area.
Six police officer were injured, with four taken to hospital.
