MARCH FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER
PROTESTERS showed their support for the Black Lives Matter cause as they gathered for a second peaceful anti-racism demonstration in Cleethorpes.
The march, held on Sunday, followed on from a similar demonstration last month, which attracted hundreds of supporters to the resort, as well as a group of anti-protesters who attempted to disrupt the event.
Both of the Cleethorpes marches form part of the global Black Lives Matter anti-racism movement, which has led to protests around the world following the death of African-American man George Floyd.
This weekend’s event drew a much smaller number of around 50 supporters, many of whom carried banners and chanted “Black Lives Matter” as the march set off from the Boating Lake car park.
In a change to the expected route, the protesters marched around the lake, before gathering at the Boating Lake Paddock to listen to speeches.
There was also a period of silence, with supporters taking a knee.
This time, there was no sign of any counter-protesters during the event, although there was a police presence to ensure it could proceed peacefully.
Among the protesters were Jodie Warren and her son Finley.
Jodie said: “This is an important cause and we wanted to come and show our support. “We hear that there’s no racism in Grimsby and that we’re creating it but that’s just not true. “We have to show our support.” Finley, who went on his first march at the previous Black Lives Matter event in Cleethorpes, added: “The more we show our support, the more people will ask whether they should support and the more political change we can create.”
Clive and Sharon Pinder were also part of Sunday’s march. They said: “We wanted to make our contribution, however small, after the tragic events.
“If no one takes notice, it’s less likely that anything changes.
“It’s important to keep this at the front of the public’s mind and not let it fade into the background.
“People ask is this the right time to do it during the pandemic, but this is a crisis that has been going on for hundreds of years.
“We should be putting the same effort into fighting racism as we are coronavirus.”
Charlie Civor, who wore a Black Lives Matter t-shirt to the protest, said: “I’ve been supporting antiracism my whole life and have attended many protests in London when I was a miner.
“Anything for equality has my full support.”
One of the speakers at the event said: “So many people like black culture and are willing to consume it, but don’t support black people.
“If you are silent, whether you like it or not, you are saying black lives don’t matter.”
Another called for further police reform and more investment in BAME communities.
Brian Milne, one of the organisers of the event, thanked everybody who took part in the peaceful demonstration and said he was not concerned about the lower turnout.
He said: “‘It was another peaceful protest.
“Thanks to the police for their help when organising it. “We’re not concerned that there was a smaller turnout, there was some fear on social media which may have discouraged people.
“We’re thankful to everyone who turned out and this won’t be the end.”
We hear that there’s no racism in Grimsby and that we’re creating it but that’s just not true
Jodie Warren