Stay away from UK rallies to protect health, minister says

THE Health Secretary has told people not to attend large anti-racism demonstrations this weekend because of the risk of coronavirus.

Thousands of people around the UK were expected to show solidarity with people in the US protesting over the death of George Floyd.

But Matt Hancock told the Government’s daily news briefing: “I understand why people are deeply upset but we are still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remains a real threat.”

Hundreds of people around the UK are expected to voice their anger this weekend over the death of Mr Floyd, an African-american father of two.

Meanwhile, the UK has raised concerns with the US government about police treatment of journalists covering protests in American cities.

Television and smartphone footage has repeatedly shown US police officers pushing, punching and blocking camera operators and journalists.

In one case, a British photographer was thrown to the ground by a police officer while taking pictures of demonstrators near Union Square in New York on Saturday evening.

Adam Gray, 33, was arrested and put into a police van, despite telling officers he had a foreign press card issued by the US State Department. A BBC cameraman was charged by a shieldcarrying police officer near the White House on Sunday night.

There have been numerous allegations of police assaulting apparently peaceful protesters, including an elderly man who was thrown to the ground in Buffalo, New York State.

Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said yesterday: “Our embassy in the US has raised the issue of the protests with the US administration, including on behalf of British journalists who were subject to police action.

“The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have both spoken publicly to condemn the death of George Floyd, to express concern at the violence we’ve seen, and to underline people’s right to protest peacefully.”

Protests were planned to take place in a number of British cities today, including London, Manchester, Sheffield, Leicester and Ipswich, as well as tomorrow in Nottingham, Glasgow, Colchester and Derby.

Police have urged those attending to follow social distancing rules, warning that mass gatherings are still forbidden because of the pandemic.

A small group knelt in Trafalgar Square, London, yesterday in protest at discrimination and violence against black and ethnic minority people.