More US police officers set to face charges over George Floyd’s death
THOUSANDS OF protesters staged a show of unity against racism in London following the death of George Floyd in the USA, as demonstrations continued for an eighth night around America.
Activists chanted “black lives matter” and “we will not be silent” as they waited for the event to begin at Speakers’ Corner, in Hyde Park yesterday.
Later in Parliament Square, tensions escalated and signs and a traffic cone were thrown at police while one protester is wrestled to the ground and restrained by officers. Earlier, Naomi Smith, 21, one of the organisers of the Hyde Park rally, said one of her reasons for protesting was Belly Mujinga, a railway worker who died with Covid-19 after reportedly being spat at by a man who said he was infected with the virus.
It came as chief constables from across the UK issued a joint statement saying they “stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified” after Mr Floyd’s death, and said “justice and accountability should follow”. Star Wars actor John Boyega, 28, was among those to speak at the rally. Naming other black people who have been killed, he said: “We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd. We are a physical representation of our support for Sandra Bland. We are a physical representation of our support for Trayvon Martin. We are a physical representation of our support for Stephen Lawrence.”
Mr Floyd died after a white officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck in Minneapolis. According to CNN last night, the state’s attorney general was due to increase charges against former police officer Derek Chauvin to seconddegree murder relating to Mr Floyd’s death, while also charging the other three officers involved.
In London, organisers of the Black Lives Matter demonstration provided masks and gloves to protesters, who were asked to abide by social distancing measures.
CHIEF CONSTABLES from across the UK have issued a joint statement saying “justice and accountability should follow” after George Floyd’s death.
In a statement, the chief constables, the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the chief executive of the College of Policing and the president of the Police Superintendents’ Association, said: “We stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified by the way George Floyd lost his life.
“Justice and accountability should follow.”
They have also urged people who want to make their voices heard to be aware that “coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place...”