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Coronavirus: Anti-racism protesters urged to stay safe Coronavirus: Thousands join Scottish anti-racism protests
(about 4 hours later)
Anti-racism campaigners in Scotland have been urged to make their voices heard safely and avoid mass gatherings. Thousands of protesters have turned out to anti-racism demonstrations in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
A number of marches and rallies are planned following the death of George Floyd, despite the lockdown restrictions. Despite pleas from the first minister, police and MSPs to find safer ways to express their support, large numbers gathered on Glasgow Green and Holyrood Park.
The first minister has said that in different circumstances she might have joined the demonstrations. However, most were wearing face coverings and all attendees were asked to observe social distancing.
But she said the coronavirus outbreak meant it was "simply not safe" and would "pose a risk to life". Marches and rallies were planned following the death of George Floyd.
The number of deaths among people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland rose by six to 2,415 on Saturday, and under the first phase of lockdown easing mass gatherings remain banned. The 46-year-old black man died in Minneapolis, Minnesota after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
A Black Lives Matter protest is due to go ahead at Glasgow Green at midday after it was moved from George Square to allow easier physical distancing. His death has sparked days of demonstrations and unrest in the US and around the world.
An hour later, an event is due to begin at Edinburgh's Holyrood Park with the organisers asking those attending to wear PPE and to observe social distancing. Events were planned in Scotland despite ongoing lockdown restrictions and a ban on mass gatherings.
A socially-distanced poster protest will also take place at several locations in Aberdeen. Each event is restricted with protesters booking "slots" to display signs, posters, artwork, notes and poems demanding justice for the victims of police brutality. The first minister said that in different circumstances she might have joined the demonstrations but that the coronavirus outbreak meant it was "simply not safe" and would "pose a risk to life".
There were no new reported deaths among people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland on Sunday, although the figures at a weekend are often low because of delayed reporting.
Despite the progress made in containing the virus, mass gatherings remain banned under the lockdown.
A Black Lives Matter protest started at Glasgow Green at midday after it was moved from George Square to allow easier physical distancing.
An hour later, supporters started arriving at Edinburgh's Holyrood Park where organisers asked those attending to wear PPE and to observe social distancing.
A socially-distanced poster protest has been taking place across Aberdeen throughout the day. Protesters booked limited "slots" to display signs, posters, artwork, notes and poems demanding justice for the victims of police brutality.
A vigil organised for Bught Park in Inverness was cancelled by the organisers due to coronavirus fears when more than 500 people said they intended to take part.A vigil organised for Bught Park in Inverness was cancelled by the organisers due to coronavirus fears when more than 500 people said they intended to take part.
Protests went ahead south of the border on Saturday despite officials advising against mass gatherings due to the pandemic.Protests went ahead south of the border on Saturday despite officials advising against mass gatherings due to the pandemic.
Thousands of people gathered in cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff, Leicester, and Sheffield. On Saturday, 14 Met Police officers were hurt during anti-racism protests in London.
In London, protesters knelt for a minute's silence before chanting "no justice, no peace" and "black lives matter". Thousands of people gathered in cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff, Leicester, and Sheffield which were largely peaceful. However, there were disturbances near Downing Street later in the day.
More on George Floyd's deathMore on George Floyd's death
Nicola Sturgeon spoke about the planned Scottish protests during her daily briefing on Friday, saying people should find safer ways of making their voices heard. The first minister urged people to join digital protests, including one organised by the STUC on Sunday evening.
She said: "We all feel very strongly about this, but I want to ask you to do so safely. The event will host speakers including Kadijartu Johnson - a nurse and the sister of Sheku Bayoh, who died after being restrained by police in Kirkcaldy in 2015. A public inquiry is due to be held into the circumstances of his death
"Coming together in mass gatherings right now is simply not safe - it poses a real risk to health and it poses a real risk to life." Ms Johnson agreed to speak at the virtual anti-racism protest which falls on the 5th anniversary of Mr Bayoh's burial, after making a joint statement discouraging the physical demonstrations.
Ms Sturgeon said people could instead "make your voice heard online, you can lobby your elected representatives or you can donate to anti-racism campaigns". Alongside Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and other politicians and anti-racism campaigners, she urged people not to attend the rallies, and to find alternative and safe ways of protesting.
Ahead of the Scottish events, a group of anti-racism campaigners renamed streets in Glasgow city centre that have links to the slave trade. The joint statement warned that progress on easing lockdown in Scotland is "fragile" and said: "Like so many we want to stand in unity with millions across our planet to show solidarity with those protesting against racial injustice in the USA but also to support those challenging racial injustice and discrimination in Scotland.
In several streets, activists replaced the names of tobacco merchants and slave trade owners in favour of black campaigners, slaves and those who died in police custody - including George Floyd.
One of the organisers of the Glasgow protest, Barrington Reeves, told BBC Scotland he respected the views of those who were urging people not to attend - but insisted that the event would go ahead.
He said: "It's not often you look back through history and see a civil rights movement where they effected change by posting on Instagram.
"We are asking people to stay socially distant and to stay within their households, and if possible after the event to be tested or to isolate for seven days."
'Proportionate' policing
Scotland's justice secretary, Humza Yousaf, and Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone have both pledged that policing of the protests will be "proportionate" and that they will be allowed to go ahead.
Mr Yousaf has signed a joint letter alongside other politicians and anti-racism campaigners urging people not to attend the rallies, and to find alternative and safe ways of protesting.
It has also been signed by Kadijartu Johnson - a nurse and the sister of Sheku Bayoh, who died after being restrained by police in Kirkcaldy in 2015.
Ms Johnson has agreed to speak at a virtual anti-racism protest organised by the STUC - on the 5th anniversary of Mr Bayoh's burial. A public inquiry is due to be held into the circumstances of his death
The joint statement warned progress on easing lockdown in Scotland is "fragile" and said: "Like so many we want to stand in unity with millions across our planet to show solidarity with those protesting against racial injustice in the USA but also to support those challenging racial injustice and discrimination in Scotland.
"The rules in place are there to protect people's health and ultimately people's lives."The rules in place are there to protect people's health and ultimately people's lives.
"Therefore, as long-term anti-racist campaigners we are still urging people to protest but to use the many other methods available at this time, including digital protests.""Therefore, as long-term anti-racist campaigners we are still urging people to protest but to use the many other methods available at this time, including digital protests."