Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE MARCH FOR CHANGE
Thousands take to streets across UK in demonstrations
PROTESTERS hit the streets nationwide yesterday to demand an end to racism.
After George Floyd’s death at the hands of US police, they called on the UK to get its house in order, and toppled a slave trader statue.
Labour’s Lisa Nandy said: “You cannot be silent in the face of racism and police brutality.”
PROTESTERS chanted that “the UK is not innocent” as Black Lives Matters demonstrations swept across the country yesterday.
The anti-racism action, inspired by the murder of American George Floyd in Minneapolis and other victims of police brutality, saw thousands gather outside the US embassy in London on Sunday.
Crowds of people wearing face masks, some bearing the slogan “racism is a virus’’, chanted “George Floyd” and “no justice no peace”.
An estimated 100,000 people took part across the country.
In Bristol the statue of a 17th century slave trader was torn down and dumped into the harbour.
The bronze of Edward Colston had been the subject of an 11,000-strong petition to have it removed.
Earlier, John Mcallister, 71, ripped off black bin bags used to hide it.
He said: “It says, ‘erected by the citizens of Bristol, as a memorial to one of the most virtuous and wise sons of this city’. He was generous to Bristol but it was off the back of slavery – it’s absolutely despicable.”
In Belfast’s Custom House Square, people knelt in silent tribute to Mr Floyd, who died after a white officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes.
Rallies were also held in towns and cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Norwich, Chester, Wrexham, Coventry, Derby, and Colchester.
Meanwhile, London Black Lives Matter organised a separate protest on
Zoom, for those unable to attend in person. Celebrities including Madonna, Lewis Capaldi and boxer Anthony Joshua showed their support.
Recovering from hip and knee injuries, Madonna was in London on crutches, while Capaldi was in Edinburgh.
Joshua, also on crutches, addressed crowds in his home town, of Watford, Herts, branding racism a “virus” and adding “we can no longer remain silent”.
Earlier former England footballer John Barnes warned racism here was as bad as in America. Labour MP Lisa Nandy praised protesters for “speaking up”, but urged them to maintain social distancing.
Ms Nandy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, told the BBC: “I’m very proud of those young people.”
She added: “I’m someone who has lived with racism, I’ve seen it with my family, in our country, and it requires you to take an active stance against it.
“You cannot be silent in the face of racism and police brutality, and I think those young people are right to raise their voices and to demand change.”
The day of protests went ahead despite
Health Secretary Matt Hancock warning it was “undoubtedly a risk” mass gatherings would cause a spike in coronavirus.
Free masks, gloves and hand gel were given to the thousands of who gathered at the US Embassy on the banks of the River Thames in Battersea, South London.
Some wore T-shirts reading “I can’t breathe”, in reference to Mr
Floyd’s pleas to the officer who killed him. Another had “get your knee off our necks” written on his jacket. Grace Wharlley, 17, of St Albans, Herts, held a banner with a picture of Martin Luther King, which read “this was not my dream”. “I’m marching for all the people who cannot be here,” she said.
“It needs to stop now,” added student Chaniya La Rose, 17, who was with her family. “It shouldn’t have to be this hard to be equal.”
It was the second day thousands turned out in the capital. On Saturday, a small group clashed violently with mounted police.
And yesterday’s demonstration was marred late on as fireworks and bottles were thrown at officers as tensions boiled over.
Police wearing riot gear were called in as reinforcements at around 8pm.
Further north, a section the M6 near Coventry was closed for an hour as protesters strayed on to the road.
Meanwhile, Barnes spoke passionately about inequality in this country.
He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “[The UK] hasn’t got a problem like the US in police killing black people on the streets. However, in terms of the black community not being given access to healthcare... jobs, housing, it’s exactly the same.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the toppling of the Bristol statue was “utterly disgraceful”.
Avon and Somerset Police superintendent Andy Bennett confirmed police were investigating, but insisted most of the city’s 10,000 protesters acted “peacefully” .
He added: “I’d like to thank the organisers for efforts to encourage demonstrators to follow government guidance – a message many clearly took on board, doing their best to socially distance despite the large crowds.”
People are right to raise their voices and demand change
MP LISA NANDY BACKING PEACEFUL PROTESTERS