Black Lives Matter ‘extra essential’ than coronavirus: 1000’s of demonstrators hit the streets of London (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

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1000’s have descended on central London to protest the loss of life of George Floyd. Defying the federal government’s lockdown guidelines, the demonstrators marched on Parliament Sq..

Almost two weeks after Floyd died beneath the boot of police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, protests towards police brutality have unfold internationally. Far-off from the riots and arson engulfing the US, crowds of demonstrators packed the wet streets of London on Saturday to point out solidarity with the ‘Black Lives Matter’ motion within the US.

In Parliament, “simply tens of hundreds” of individuals confirmed up, in response to one socialist activist. Carrying indicators studying “I can’t breathe” – a reference to Floyd’s remaining phrases – they banged drums and chanted ‘Black Lives Matter’. At one level, the gang took a knee for a minute’s silence in Floyd’s reminiscence.

“It’s essential, having a black baby myself, that he is aware of that he can truly develop up and be secure within the society we stay in,” one protester and mom advised RT. “We’re not as dangerous as America,” she added, “however we’re not harmless.” 

Comparable gatherings befell throughout town, and in cities all through the UK. Crowds assembled in Manchester, Leicester, Sheffield, and Bristol, amongst different places.

Nevertheless, the British authorities has cautioned that such gatherings might set off a spike in coronavirus instances, that are nonetheless being reported at a fee of greater than 1,500 per day. Earlier than the protest, Well being Secretary Matt Hancock warned would-be demonstrators to remain at dwelling to “defend themselves and their household from this horrific illness.” London’s Metropolitan Police, in the meantime, have reminded the general public that enormous gatherings are presently “illegal.”

“What’s the purpose in saving an entire lot of individuals from coronavirus if sure minorities are simply going to be shot by police?” one protester argued. His sentiment was echoed by others, with one girl telling RT that protesting police brutality is “extra essential” than following lockdown recommendation. 

On-line, legions of commenters disagreed. Because the Metropolitan Police’s Twitter account live-tweeted Saturday’s gathering, offended commenters demanded that the power “do some precise policing” and “implement social distancing.” Thus far, Covid-19 has claimed greater than 40,000 lives within the UK this yr, whereas law enforcement officials shot two individuals useless. One was a suspected terrorist whereas one other threatened police with knives.

Additionally on rt.com

Protesters and police officers clash near Downing Street during a Black Lives Matter protest following in London, Britain on June 3, 2020.
Fists fly as MAYHEM engulfs Downing Road throughout anti-racism rally (VIDEOS)

Three days earlier, an anti-racism protest exterior Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Downing Road workplaces descended into chaos when demonstrators mounted a police barrier and brawled with officers. These officers who gave in to the gang’s calls for and took a knee appeared on as protesters climbed a World Warfare I memorial and daubed graffiti on close by buildings.

The demonstration is not going to be the final organized by Black Lives Matter activists within the UK. Sunday will see a protest exterior the US Embassy in London, with organizers calling for “justice for the a number of black individuals who have been killed and harmed by the police.”

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