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Thousands turn out for UK anti-racism protests

07 June 2020 00:28 (UTC +04:00)

Thousands of people have joined anti-racism demonstrations across the UK, APA reports citing BBC.

The protests, sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US, are being held in cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff, Leicester and Sheffield.

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

The protests went ahead despite officials advising against mass gatherings due to coronavirus.

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 who gathered in London's Parliament Square, the majority donned face coverings and many wore gloves.

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".

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.