The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
City protest called off over virus fears
The unexpectedly large numbers expected at a Dundee protest 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.
Ms Deslyn, from Dundee and a former student at Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art, said up to 2,000 people could have attended.
She said: “I am really gutted to have to postpone the event for the time being.
“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 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.”