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George Floyd death: Thousands turn out for UK anti-racism protests George Floyd death: Thousands turn out for UK anti-racism protests
(32 minutes later)
Thousands of people have joined anti-racism demonstrations across the UK.Thousands of people have joined anti-racism demonstrations across the UK.
The protests, sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US, are being held in cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff, Leicester and Sheffield.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".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.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".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".
The vast majority of the day's protests were peaceful.The vast majority of the day's protests were peaceful.
Later in the evening as demonstrators dispersed in London, there were disturbances outside Downing Street. But later in the evening as demonstrators dispersed in London, there were disturbances outside Downing Street.
Of the thousands of people who gathered in the capital, the majority donned face coverings and many wore gloves. Earlier thousands of people gathered in the capital, the majority donning face coverings and many with gloves.
Some held signs making reference to coronavirus, including one which read: "There is a virus greater than Covid-19 and it's called racism".Some held signs making reference to coronavirus, including one which read: "There is a virus greater than Covid-19 and it's called racism".
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, police said they had issued "a significant number" of fines given the dangers of crowds in the pandemic.Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, police said they had issued "a significant number" of fines given the dangers of crowds in the pandemic.
Protests began in the US after a video emerged of Mr Floyd, 46, being arrested by four officers on 25 May in Minneapolis. Protests began in the US after a video emerged of Mr Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, 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. Videos showed Mr Floyd, who was unarmed and in handcuffs, dying after a white policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The footage - seen all around the world - showed him gasping that he could not breathe.
An officer has been charged with murder while three of his colleagues stand accused of aiding and abetting the killing.
At a protest in his hometown of Watford, Britain's world heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua told the crowds: "We can no longer sit back and remain silent on this senseless, unlawful killing and sly racism on another human being."At a protest in his hometown of Watford, Britain's world heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua told the crowds: "We can no longer sit back and remain silent on this senseless, unlawful killing and sly racism on another human being."
In central London, protesters dropped to one knee and raised their fists in the air outside the US embassy amid chants of "silence is violence" and "colour is not a crime".In central London, protesters dropped to one knee and raised their fists in the air outside the US embassy amid chants of "silence is violence" and "colour is not a crime".
Sarah Law, a 27-year-old train manager, said there was a "great atmosphere" at the protest in London. She said: "I don't want my future children to experience what I have. It's time for us all to unite together regardless of our race and stand up for what is right."Sarah Law, a 27-year-old train manager, said there was a "great atmosphere" at the protest in London. She said: "I don't want my future children to experience what I have. It's time for us all to unite together regardless of our race and stand up for what is right."
Meanwhile, in Glasgow, anti-racism campaigners renamed streets that have links to the slave trade, replacing street signs with the names of enslaved Africans, black activists and victims of police brutality. Demonstrations are scheduled in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen on Sunday.Meanwhile, in Glasgow, anti-racism campaigners renamed streets that have links to the slave trade, replacing street signs with the names of enslaved Africans, black activists and victims of police brutality. Demonstrations are scheduled in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen on Sunday.
In Manchester about 15,000 protesters gathered at Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre, clapping in unison and holding placards bearing the initials BLM.In Manchester about 15,000 protesters gathered at Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre, clapping in unison and holding placards bearing the initials BLM.
It comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham warned that mass gatherings were "high risk" amid fears that coronavirus may be spreading rapidly again. They gathered despite warnings from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham that mass gatherings were "high risk" after fears coronavirus may be spreading rapidly again.
Elsewhere, several hundred marched in Newcastle, while many more watched an online protest organised in the north-east of England. Elsewhere, several hundred people marched in Newcastle, while many more took part in an online protest organised in the north-east of England.
Protests are taking place across Europe on Saturday and the US capital of Washington DC is bracing for its biggest demonstration yet. More protests took place across Europe on Saturday and others have begun in the US capital of Washington DC.
How Floyd's death resonated in the UKHow Floyd's death resonated in the UK
As London's demonstration thinned out in the early evening, BBC correspondent Chi Chi Izundu said some demonstrators started throwing bottles outside Downing Street and a spooked police horse without a rider knocked over and trampled someone. As London's demonstration thinned out in the early evening, BBC correspondent Chi Chi Izundu said some demonstrators started throwing bottles outside Downing Street and a riderless police horse bolted, trampling a demonstrator.
Meanwhile, police in Northern Ireland said organisers of the protests in Belfast and Londonderry will be reported to the Public Prosecution Service with a view to prosecution.Meanwhile, police in Northern Ireland said organisers of the protests in Belfast and Londonderry will be reported to the Public Prosecution Service with a view to prosecution.
Organisers in Belfast had marked out social distancing measurements. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said regulations must be adhered to as "these are not ordinary times".Organisers in Belfast had marked out social distancing measurements. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said regulations must be adhered to as "these are not ordinary times".
O'Neall Rawle, a 27-year-old teacher from Leicester, said he was protesting "to hopefully spark some change".O'Neall Rawle, a 27-year-old teacher from Leicester, said he was protesting "to hopefully spark some change".
"I'm protesting because I'm exhausted," he said. "Exhausted of having to 'accept' this way of life. Exhausted of being treated as a second class citizen. Exhausted of being portrayed as aggressive, loud and lazy. Exhausted of inequality.""I'm protesting because I'm exhausted," he said. "Exhausted of having to 'accept' this way of life. Exhausted of being treated as a second class citizen. Exhausted of being portrayed as aggressive, loud and lazy. Exhausted of inequality."
Earlier, the home secretary said she understood people's views and why they wanted to protest but said "we must put public health first". 'Knife edge'
Speaking on LBC, Dame Cressida said she understood the strength of feeling but urged protesters to find a way of expressing themselves that did not involve mass gatherings. Earlier, the home secretary said she understood people's views and why they wanted to protest but said public health took priority.
And speaking on LBC, Dame Cressida said she understood the strength of feeling but urged protesters to find a way of expressing themselves that did not involve mass gatherings.
She also said that police officers should not "take the knee" in solidarity with protesters.She also said that police officers should not "take the knee" in solidarity with protesters.
One doctor warned the UK was "balanced on a knife edge" and those attending protests should take steps to protect themselves from the virus.
Sarah Jarvis told BBC Breakfast that, while people feel strongly about the reasons behind the protests, those attending should continue to stay distant from one another.
"Coronavirus is no respecter of the good cause for which you are going out," she said.
What does the law say about protests?What does the law say about protests?
Coronavirus regulations for England don't specifically mention protests but do restrict "public gatherings" to no more than six people - that would make large protests illegal.Coronavirus regulations for England don't specifically mention protests but do restrict "public gatherings" to no more than six people - that would make large protests illegal.
Police officers can hand out fixed-penalty notices (starting at £100) to people who won't follow the health regulations. They can also arrest and charge someone with an offence.Police officers can hand out fixed-penalty notices (starting at £100) to people who won't follow the health regulations. They can also arrest and charge someone with an offence.
Whether they do this in practice is another matter and policing large protests during the coronavirus pandemic presents a challenge.Whether they do this in practice is another matter and policing large protests during the coronavirus pandemic presents a challenge.
Dame Cressida has said officers will "seek to uphold the law" but will have to make a "case-by-case" decision on what to do.Dame Cressida has said officers will "seek to uphold the law" but will have to make a "case-by-case" decision on what to do.
She told the London Assembly on 3 June that if they had tried to enforce a mass dispersal at last weekend's protests, "we would probably have ended up with very serious disorder".She told the London Assembly on 3 June that if they had tried to enforce a mass dispersal at last weekend's protests, "we would probably have ended up with very serious disorder".
Read more on what the law says on protests here.Read more on what the law says on protests here.