The funeral service for Duggan - who's shooting dead by police sparked last month's civil unrest - took place at the New Testament Church Of God, Wood Green, just two miles from where his life was taken on August 4.
In an emotionally-fuelled service, relatives and close friends paid tribute as they described Duggan as a “highly-spirited, humorous, caring and loving” individual who took an immense pride in his family.
A selection of Biblical readings and musical tributes came from Mark Duggan’s immediate and extended family network. Too distraught to speak, Semone Wilson – Duggan’s partner of 14 years - conveyed her own heartfelt memories of her first ‘true love’ in a tribute read out by her sister.
Speaking to a family friend and Tottenham resident after the service, Kareen Vere vented her anger at the police, and their failures surrounding Duggan’s death in their custody.
“It grieves me that someone so young, a father to four children; his life is just ended just like that… Nobody is supposed to die at the hands of police for no reason. And the lying, and trying to cover their tracks and discredit the family is just not on”.
Kareen Vere was echoed by Douglas Williams of local campaign group ‘Find Your Voice’ The group which sets about to empower the community , has since Duggan’s death, campaigned for justice for the 29-year-old.
“Where we go from here is that as a community we must get justice”, Williams asserted. “We have to move by any means necessary to bring justice to Mark… That means we have to begin with our MPs; councillors; they all have to be held accountable. There will come a time when we have a day of action when we say ‘ On This particular day; Nobody will work on This particular thing’. Then, they can start to take to take us seriously”.
With reference to the circumstances of Duggan’s death, Williams noted;
“The reason why people can do things to you is because they know they can get away with it… As a community we just can’t take this kind of thing lying down”, Williams vehemently continued, before highlighting the fact yet another two men had died in police custody since Duggan on August 4th.
Marcia Rigg, - whose brother Sean Rigg died in Brixton police custody in August 2008 explained why it was so important she attend Mark Duggan’s funeral.
“I’m here for Mark Duggan, to support the families of victims of deaths in police custody. When people disperse after the funerals it’s the families left”, Ms Rigg opened up, before turning her attention to the police.
“How can they sleep at night? How can they close their eyes? It’s blatant murder and they feel they’re allowed to get away with it because they’re wearing the Queen’s uniform. We have to put a stop to that.”, Ms Rigg vowed.
“Since 1969 there has been over 400 deaths [in police custody] and no officer has ever been made accountable for any of these. We need to bring this to the media!
“The system too needs to be put to account… The government allows the police to get away with murder, and if the government was to highlight the situation and show the police they cannot do this, maybe they will think twice before they kill somebody”, Ms Rigg concluded.
Mark Duggan was shot dead by police marksmen on August 4th, after police intercepted the minicab he was travelling in. The police's failure to explain why Duggan was shot, sparked the Tottenham riots that escalated in to nationwide unrest last month.
The Duggan family meanwhile continue to await answers as the Independent Complaints Commission (IPCC) continue to investigate the events of that August evening.
Duggan family friend Kareen Vere suggests there to be only one way to vindicate the Met at this stage: “I suggest that if the police want to have better relations with the community, then they need to be real, they need to tell the truth, and they need to have honour.”
