Petition calling for charges against officers in student death passes 200,000 signatures
A Change.org petition urging manslaughter charges against police officers involved in the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak has collected more than 200,000 signatures. The petition follows the release of body-camera footage from the December 2025 incident.
Washington Examinerorg petition demanding that police officers face charges in connection with the death of university student Henry Nowak has surpassed 200,000 signatures. The petition, titled “Demand justice for Henry Nowak: charge the officers, publish the findings,” was posted last week and calls for manslaughter, criminal negligence, and dereliction of duty charges.
Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed on December 3, 2025, by Vickrum Digwa, 23. Digwa told responding officers he had been the victim of a racist attack. Body-camera footage later showed officers dismissing Nowak’s statements that he had been stabbed and could not breathe.
Nowak was handcuffed and lost consciousness; he was later pronounced dead. The petition states that one officer has resigned while three others remain on duty and are being treated as witnesses rather than suspects by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
It also demands release of the full, unredacted investigation findings.
Public reaction Hundreds of signatories left comments on the petition page.
” Another from London stated a desire to “feel safe walking the streets” and to trust officers regardless of skin color. The petition has drawn attention both inside and outside the United Kingdom. While most signatures appear to originate in the U.K., some comments indicate signers from the United States.
Legal outcome Digwa was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 21 years. Police officials have stated that officers’ actions did not contribute to Nowak’s death. The Independent Office for Police Conduct continues its investigation.
