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Black Lives Matter protests take place across the UK – pictures and video from Liverpool, Manchester, London

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The public continue to gather around the country to protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Getintothis’ Sian Ellis reports.

Several protests are taking place around the country today (Saturday 6 June) in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The movement, first formed in 2013, has gained further traction since the unlawful murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota America – at the hands of Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

Chauvin has since been charged with murder, after he knelt on George Floyd‘s neck for almost nine minutes while he was handcuffed face down in the street.

Protests began in the US after a video emerged of Mr Floyd, 46, being arrested by four officers on 25 May in Minneapolis.

Mr Floyd, an unarmed black man in handcuffs, died after a white policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Footage showed him gasping that he could not breathe. The officer has been charged with murder while three colleagues stand accused of aiding and abetting.

The initial arrest was due to Floyd using an alleged counterfeit £20 note, sparking a national outcry over the police brutality and racism that exists in society today.

The people of Liverpool gathered at St. George’s Hall from 7.30pm on Tuesday 2 June, to peacefully protest in support of Black Lives Matter. Today, many cities around the country have organised more protests to support the cause.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the social distancing advice was “for the safety of all of us”, while Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said the protests were “unlawful”.

Of the thousands of people that gathered in London’s Parliament Square, the majority donned face coverings and many wore gloves.

London 

The London protest is taking place at Parliament Square.. The protest has already seen thousands of people marching with signs, with many chanting “Boris Johnson is a racist” and “Tories out”.

In London, protesters knelt for a minute’s silence before chanting “no justice, no peace” and “black lives matter”.

Some held signs making reference to the virus, including one which read: “There is a virus greater than Covid-19 and it’s called racism“.

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Some people have been seen handing out free PPE to fellow protesters, in an attempt to reduce the spread of coronavirus as they stand in solidarity with the family of George Floyd and many other victims of police brutality and racism.

 

Manchester 

The Manchester protest took place at Piccadilly Gardens, from 1pm.

The city is already seeing protesters in their thousands gather to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Protesters are made up of a diverse crowd, ranging from pensioners to children accompanied by their parents.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has warned that mass gatherings were “high risk” amid fears that coronavirus may be spreading again.

Scenes from the popular Manchester hot spot include a silence and raising of signs, in honour or George Floyd.

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Another protest will take place in Manchester tomorrow, at St. Peter’s Square, 2pm.

Leicester 

In the East Midlands, protesters have gathered in Leicester city centre to join the cause.

Sheffield

There has been a huge turnout in Sheffield, as “hundreds if not thousands” have gathered to protest.

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