The public continue to gather around the country to protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Getintothis’ Sian Ellis reports.
Several protests are taking place around the country today (Saturday 6 June) in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The movement, first formed in 2013, has gained further traction since the unlawful murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota America – at the hands of Police Officer Derek Chauvin.
Chauvin has since been charged with murder, after he knelt on George Floyd‘s neck for almost nine minutes while he was handcuffed face down in the street.
Protests began in the US after a video emerged of Mr Floyd, 46, being arrested by four officers on 25 May in Minneapolis.
Mr Floyd, an unarmed black man in handcuffs, died after a white policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Footage showed him gasping that he could not breathe. The officer has been charged with murder while three colleagues stand accused of aiding and abetting.
The initial arrest was due to Floyd using an alleged counterfeit £20 note, sparking a national outcry over the police brutality and racism that exists in society today.
The people of Liverpool gathered at St. George’s Hall from 7.30pm on Tuesday 2 June, to peacefully protest in support of Black Lives Matter. Today, many cities around the country have organised more protests to support the cause.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the social distancing advice was “for the safety of all of us”, while Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said the protests were “unlawful”.
Of the thousands of people that gathered in London’s Parliament Square, the majority donned face coverings and many wore gloves.
Huge turnout in Liverpool for the Black Lives Matter protest this evening #blacklivesmatter #liverpool pic.twitter.com/9S4QPoh6Kt
— Iain Watts (@iainwattsphoto) June 2, 2020
London
The London protest is taking place at Parliament Square.. The protest has already seen thousands of people marching with signs, with many chanting “Boris Johnson is a racist” and “Tories out”.
In London, protesters knelt for a minute’s silence before chanting “no justice, no peace” and “black lives matter”.
Some held signs making reference to the virus, including one which read: “There is a virus greater than Covid-19 and it’s called racism“.
Chants of “Boris Johnson’s a racist and Tories out” at BLM protests in London. Tens of thousands of young people here. pic.twitter.com/g5J1G9Ogqf
— Hasan Patel 🌹 (@CorbynistaTeen) June 6, 2020
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Some people have been seen handing out free PPE to fellow protesters, in an attempt to reduce the spread of coronavirus as they stand in solidarity with the family of George Floyd and many other victims of police brutality and racism.
protesters are handing out free ppe at the london protest so pls go get some if you have none!! social distancing will be difficult here so keep yourself protected in every other way ❤️ pic.twitter.com/F7rFmQh8JQ
— els (@wildflowerdrums) June 6, 2020
Manchester
The Manchester protest took place at Piccadilly Gardens, from 1pm.
The city is already seeing protesters in their thousands gather to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Protesters are made up of a diverse crowd, ranging from pensioners to children accompanied by their parents.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has warned that mass gatherings were “high risk” amid fears that coronavirus may be spreading again.
#manchesterprotests pic.twitter.com/uLinm57T9G
— suck out (@alex__isaacc) June 6, 2020
Scenes from the popular Manchester hot spot include a silence and raising of signs, in honour or George Floyd.
Protest in Manchester, UK today; the city showed out for #GeorgeFloyd. This is only a 180 degree view pic.twitter.com/i2IQ7XsLWJ
— BLK 45 🏁🇪🇸 (@BLK_45) June 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/thetwerkinggirl/status/1269271323185995776
This is definitely the biggest crowd I've ever seen in Manchester for a protest #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/C9MM7xDaQQ
— 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 (@MancPictures) June 6, 2020
Manchester you are fucking beautiful. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/j3hHHJn5oy
— christoph (@chrismvneilis) June 6, 2020
Thousands of protesters are now marching around #Manchester chanting #Blacklivesmatter. I’m hear witnessing the remarkable scenes to bring you the latest for @lbc @LBCNews pic.twitter.com/4gF9jAIM6X
— Emily Hulme (@emilykatehulme) June 6, 2020
Love Manchester. Fuck Racism. #BlackLivesMatter #manchestermarch pic.twitter.com/KTqiXm4obG
— New Analog (@tobywhitebread) June 6, 2020
Another protest will take place in Manchester tomorrow, at St. Peter’s Square, 2pm.
Leicester
In the East Midlands, protesters have gathered in Leicester city centre to join the cause.
Here in Leicester City Centre for the Black Lives Matter protest. There are some really powerful speakers out here today. pic.twitter.com/esLFsPh7uv
— Chris Jones (@chrisjonesnews) June 6, 2020
At the Black Lives Matter protest in Leicester today
Leicester takes a knee for George Floyd and the crowd is silent pic.twitter.com/J7htenoYPx
— Asha Patel (@ashac_patel) June 6, 2020
Sheffield
There has been a huge turnout in Sheffield, as “hundreds if not thousands” have gathered to protest.
The crowd is growing. It seems now thousands demand peace and justice at the Sheffield protest. #BLACK_LIVES_MATTER pic.twitter.com/kDn0EHYGT1
— Roland Sebestyén (@rolandsebest) June 6, 2020
Hundreds if not thousands of people in Sheffield have taken the knee at the Black Lives Matter Protest. @LBCNews @LBC pic.twitter.com/DgQ7Xmb9p8
— Vicki Smith (@VickiSmith_) June 6, 2020
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