Rev. Al Sharpton calls for law reform at funeral of Irvo Otieno

Rev. Al Sharpton called for an “Irvo law” to help protect people in mental health facilities as he delivered a eulogy to remember Irvo Otieno on Wednesday, 29 March.

Mourners gathered at a Virginia church to honour the life of the 28-year-old Black man.

Mr Otieno, whose family said he had struggled with mental illness, died in custody at a state psychiatric hospital on 6 March after he was pinned to the floor by sheriff’s deputies.

“The way to handle mental health is not death,” the civil rights activist said.

Click here to sign up for our newsletters.