Kentish Express Ashford & District
County joins the world in saying ‘Black Lives Matter’
Hundreds of people across Kent have joined Black Lives Matter protests across the globe following the death of George Floyd in the USA.
A number of peaceful demonstrations were held across the county to remember the American who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis last month.
Organised gatherings were staged in Deal, Gravesend, Chatham, Canterbury, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Folkestone and Tenterden.
Kent Police’s Chief Constable Alan Pughsley was among those to kneel in support of the movement at a socially-distanced event in Gravesend.
More than 100 people joined Medway’s Stand Up For Racism group on Thursday for a peaceful protest.
The group held another event attended by many more in Chatham High Street on Saturday where they walked “peacefully and socially distanced” through the centre.
Organiser Mikey Ragga said: “We are here to stand up as one community and show our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in America, remembering George Floyd and all the others who have suffered and died under a racially-divided system where if you are black
you are less.”
A-level photography student Noah Lock was among those involved.
“It was very civilised and well organised,” he said. “Everyone was very respectful, the march down the High Street was done in complete silence.
“Despite there being so many people everybody maintained the two-metre distance.
“I feel it’s important to participate in as well as document these important events, so that they can be looked back on in years to come.”
Barman and waiter Lewis Foord organised a socially-distanced memorial at Deal seafront as a poignant reminder of how the 46-year-old American was killed.
Those present stood on and around the roundabout in Beach Street from noon, and at 1pm knelt on one knee for eight minutes 46 seconds to represent the amount of time Mr Floyd was knelt on by the police officer. Mr Foord said: “It’s some symbolism so people in the area know how long he was on the ground for.” In Maidstone, people met near Mote Park at 11am for a ShowLove stand-in protest before walking to the High Street.
Baba Oguntoye organised the protest with friends Dan Eniolu, 23, and Cherie Laniyan, 23. Mr Oguntoye said: “As I was driving past Mote Park, I almost cried because I didn’t think that many people in Kent cared and I’ve grown up in Kent my whole life. To actually see people come out and stand in support like that was heart-warming.
“We didn’t think any more than 100 people would turn up.
“It was beautiful for people to have their voices heard in that environment.”
In Canterbury, crowds walked through the city centre, waving placards, gathering in Dane John Park.
One said: “Silence is violence”. The Canterbury Society is meeting with leaders of Black Lives Matter to discuss how the BAME ( Black, Asian and
Minority Ethnic) community can play a fuller role in the life of the area.
Society chairman Professor Richard Scase said: “The Canterbury Society is committed to the values of fairness and social justice.
“Accordingly, it is appalled by what has happened in the United States and is equally appalled by the extent that racism remains prevalent in large sectors of British society and calls upon the Government to explore why equal opportunities legislation has failed to address the underlying causes of racism in both public and private sectors.”
There was also a small demonstration in Tenterden, organised by a 16-year-old, while elsewhere hundreds made a stand in Folkestone with a ‘moving’ protest.
Held in Radnor Park on Sunday, friends and families sat and stood on the green holding placards reading ‘no justice, no peace’, ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Stop police brutality’.
Juliette Joyce Felton, a member of the Folkestone Resident’s Group on Facebook, said she was proud of the town for holding the rally.
She said: “This is the way to protest – no violence, no shouting but at least 300 people all silent and abiding by the socially distancing rules, making a stand. It was very moving.
“I chatted to a few people, most wearing masks, who said they just wanted to take part and get their point across.”
Helena Mate-Kole Rampe set up the protest in Tunbridge Wells with her younger sister Lizzie, 19, and friend Flo, 18.
The 21-year-old said: “It was very peaceful and safe. Everyone had masks and was socially distant within their groups.
“The turnout was incredible and it was so encouraging to see such an amazing show of support for Black Lives Matter.
“When I first arrived I cried. I was so overwhelmed by the number of people because I didn’t expect to see so many.
“It is really encouraging because it shows that people are listening and willing to take action and steps towards change and towards creating a society in which the colour of your skin doesn’t put a target on your back.
“There is a lack of diversity within Tunbridge Wells and I think it allows people to deflect racism as not being our problem when indeed it is.
“It is everyone’s problem. By protesting we can create awareness and educate people on how to be actively anti-racist and how to empower the voices of those who have been silenced.”
It was a similar picture across the country as thousands ignored Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s plea not to gather during lockdown.
Boxing world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was among them, appearing on crutches as he joined people on a peaceful protest in his home town of Watford.
Many wore masks and social distancing measures were encouraged during events in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Sheffield and Newcastle, among other cities.
However, there were disturbing scenes in London as police and crowds clashed.
At Friday’s coronavirus news briefing, Mr Hancock warned people against joining the demonstrations, pointing out “we’re still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remains a real threat”.
‘When I first arrived Icried.Iwasso overwhelmed by the number of people because I didn’t expect so many…’