George Floyd loss of life: Protesters collect for additional day of UK demos

Individuals are gathering for an extra day of protests throughout the UK following the loss of life of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

It comes after largely peaceable demonstrations in central London on Saturday noticed some clashes with police.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick urged protesters to seek out one other technique to make their views heard.

However Labour’s Lisa Nandy mentioned individuals “can’t be silent within the face of racism” as she backed demonstrations throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The shadow international secretary mentioned younger individuals have been “proper to lift their voices” however urged demonstrators to take precautions and socially distance.

Ms Nandy advised the BBC’s Andrew Marr she was “proud” of younger individuals demanding change following mass anti-racism protests throughout the UK on Saturday.

“I believe it is one of the essential issues about dwelling in a free society is that individuals can exit and protest,” she mentioned.

She added: “I’ve mentioned repeatedly that it should be secure, individuals ought to social distance – please take precautions – however I am very happy with these younger people who find themselves popping out and talking up.

“Now I am somebody who has lived with racism in my life, I’ve seen it with my household, I’ve seen it in our nation and I believe it requires you to take an energetic stance in opposition to it.

“You can’t be silent within the face of racism and police brutality, and I believe these younger persons are proper to lift their voices and to demand change.”

Officers injured

Whereas Saturday’s protests have been largely peaceable, clashes between police and other people gathered close to Downing Road broke out within the night.

Missiles and fireworks have been aimed toward police and bikes have been additionally thrown by some demonstrators.

The Metropolitan Police mentioned 14 officers have been injured, together with a mounted officer who got here off a horse because it bolted down Whitehall, with an extra 13 harm throughout demonstrations earlier within the week.

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Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick mentioned she was “appalled” by the scenes of unrest on Saturday evening, which led to 14 arrests.

Well being Secretary Matt Hancock in the meantime has mentioned that, with an estimated one in 1,000 individuals being infectious with the coronavirus, the protests risked spreading the illness, which might then danger lives.

He added: “There’s a purpose why now we have legal guidelines in place, quickly, to say that gatherings over six individuals shouldn’t occur and that is as a result of the virus spreads.”

Prof John Edmunds, an member of the federal government’s scientific advisory group, Sage, mentioned – even with decreased transmission outdoor – the big numbers protesting elevated the chance of unfold.

“When you’ve got a crowd of some thousand individuals you’d count on a few of these individuals to be infectious,” he mentioned.

“And we all know that the an infection might be handed on by individuals who haven’t got signs.”

‘We’re dying anyway’

The Bishop of Dover, Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who’s the Church of England’s first feminine black bishop, advised BBC Breakfast racism was killing individuals.

She mentioned the protests have been crucial as “sadly the world pays no consideration when we don’t arise”.

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“Most individuals have responsibly weighed up the chance that they might be taking in an effort to arise,” she mentioned.

“There was a higher pandemic all through the world that nobody has seen or heard or truly stood up for in an actual approach.

“And so persons are considering ‘We’re dying anyway, so we will arise now.’

“Individuals are saying ‘Sufficient is sufficient,'” she added, calling for a renewed social contract to handle “systemic inequality”.

Mr Floyd’s loss of life throughout his arrest within the US final month has sparked protests worldwide, with many chanting “Black Lives Matter”.

In a press release on Sunday, Dame Cressida added: “There isn’t any place for violence in our metropolis. Officers displayed excessive endurance and professionalism all through an extended and troublesome day, and I thank them for that.

“I might urge protesters to please discover one other technique to make your views heard which doesn’t contain popping out on the streets of London, risking your self, your households and officers as we proceed to face this lethal virus.”

How George Floyd’s loss of life resonated within the UK