Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Halt ng Dundee march is ‘best’ for the moment
CORONAV IRUS restrictions have done little to stop the protests taking place across the world in response to the death of George Floyd.
There has been a surge in antiracism demonstrations by Black Lives Matter campaigners after the 46-year-old died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
Derek Chauvin, a now sacked police officer filmed kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for eight minutes, is facing a second-degree murder charge. Three other officers are facing lesser charges.
Following the killing last week demonstrations have taken place around the world, with a planned protest in Dundee this weekend set to attract more than 2,000 participants before its postponement.
The unexpectedly large numbers prompted organiser Joy Deslyn to call a halt – for now – to the planned march in the city, with fears over a potential corornavirus spread at the forefront of her mind.
“I am really gutted to have to postpone the event for the time being,” Ms Deslyn, who is from Dundee and is a former student at Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art, said.
“I know some people won’t be happy with this decision but there are a few reasons why I have decided to do this.
“This event gathered so much more attention than I had expected, and I’m so grateful.
“However, black people are more at risk from dying from coronavirus and I can’t in good faith carry out this event when the numbers are so much higher than anticipated, thus putting even more lives at risk.
“I don’t want to make anyone who’s helped organise it a target for hatred due to people blaming them for more Covid-related deaths.
“I feel like the backlash may really hurt what we are trying to do here and could endanger people, making them a target.
“I’m still going to reach out to black organisations and individuals who would like their voices to be heard.
“I’m glad that this dialogue has been opened in Dundee and plan to continue posting on this event ways to help and I encourage everyone to do the same.”
Despite the decision to cancel, Ms Deslyn has made clear it does not bring an end to the fight here in Dundee.
She said: “This decision is ultimately the best decision at the moment.
“The next date for the protest has still to be confirmed.
“This postponement doesn’t mean that this is going to blow over, we are still angry and we still want justice.”