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It's time for the water guns Boris bought!
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Contact the PP Team
Worldwide reaction to the George Floyd killing in USA - is it justified?
- Thread starter MenInG
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It's time for the water guns Boris bought!
The Viper
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Raheem Sterling: The only disease right now is racism
England and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has backed protests taking place across the UK, saying "the only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting".
Thousands of people have taken part in Black Lives Matter marches in the UK, despite government warnings to avoid mass gatherings because of the threat of coronavirus.
"This is the most important thing at this moment in time because this is something that is happening for years and years," Sterling, 25, said.
Large protests have been held in London, Bristol, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh following the death of American George Floyd.
Floyd, 46, died while being arrested on 25 May in Minneapolis. The four officers involved have since been charged over the death, which sparked days of protest in the US and demonstrations across the world.
Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight programme, Sterling said: "Just like the pandemic, we want to find a solution to stop it.
"At the same time, this is what all these protesters are doing. They are trying to find a solution and a way to stop the injustice they are seeing and they are fighting for their cause.
"As long as they are doing it peacefully and safely and not hurting anybody and not breaking into any stores, they continue to protest in this peaceful way."
Many sports people have spoken out in protest over Floyd's death, with Sterling's England team-mate Jadon Sancho making on-pitch statements in Germany's Bundesliga.
Sterling, whose City side return to Premier League action on 17 June, has previously spoken of racist abuse he has suffered and the media's portrayal of black players.
Asked whether speaking out makes his job as a footballer harder, he said: "First and foremost, I don't really think about my job when things like this happen. I think about what is right.
"And at this moment in time, there's only so much people can take. There's only so much communities and other backgrounds can take - especially black people.
"It's been going on for hundreds of years and people are tired and people are ready for change.
"I keep saying this word. I see a lot of people on social [media], supporting the cause. But this is something that needs more than just talking.
"We need to actually implement change and highlight the places that do need changes.
"But this is something that I myself will continue to do, and spark these debates and get people in my industry looking at themselves and thinking what they can do to give people an equal chance in this country.
"Hopefully other industries can do that, and everyday society and the system as well."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52959292
England and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has backed protests taking place across the UK, saying "the only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting".
Thousands of people have taken part in Black Lives Matter marches in the UK, despite government warnings to avoid mass gatherings because of the threat of coronavirus.
"This is the most important thing at this moment in time because this is something that is happening for years and years," Sterling, 25, said.
Large protests have been held in London, Bristol, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh following the death of American George Floyd.
Floyd, 46, died while being arrested on 25 May in Minneapolis. The four officers involved have since been charged over the death, which sparked days of protest in the US and demonstrations across the world.
Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight programme, Sterling said: "Just like the pandemic, we want to find a solution to stop it.
"At the same time, this is what all these protesters are doing. They are trying to find a solution and a way to stop the injustice they are seeing and they are fighting for their cause.
"As long as they are doing it peacefully and safely and not hurting anybody and not breaking into any stores, they continue to protest in this peaceful way."
Many sports people have spoken out in protest over Floyd's death, with Sterling's England team-mate Jadon Sancho making on-pitch statements in Germany's Bundesliga.
Sterling, whose City side return to Premier League action on 17 June, has previously spoken of racist abuse he has suffered and the media's portrayal of black players.
Asked whether speaking out makes his job as a footballer harder, he said: "First and foremost, I don't really think about my job when things like this happen. I think about what is right.
"And at this moment in time, there's only so much people can take. There's only so much communities and other backgrounds can take - especially black people.
"It's been going on for hundreds of years and people are tired and people are ready for change.
"I keep saying this word. I see a lot of people on social [media], supporting the cause. But this is something that needs more than just talking.
"We need to actually implement change and highlight the places that do need changes.
"But this is something that I myself will continue to do, and spark these debates and get people in my industry looking at themselves and thinking what they can do to give people an equal chance in this country.
"Hopefully other industries can do that, and everyday society and the system as well."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52959292
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,577
'Reckless' or 'wake-up call'? Australia debates protests
Tens of thousands of Australians took part in Black Lives Matter rallies around the country on Saturday, in defiance of warnings from officials over the virus.
Police initially succeeded in having Sydney's march declared illegal, only for a court to overturn that ruling on Saturday as defiant protesters massed anyway.
Now political brawling over the protests is escalating. The government’s Senate leader, Mathias Cormann, has branded demonstrators "reckless" and "selfish" for ignoring the health advice.
But some opponents disagree, citing Australia's record of at least 430 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody since 1991.
"This issue of First Nations people dying in this country is what is reckless and irresponsible," Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy told Channel Nine this morning.
It had to be "a wake-up call" to end deaths in custody, added Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly praised most protesters for wearing masks, but said it was a "wait-and-see" approach to see if any infections emerged.
Tens of thousands of Australians took part in Black Lives Matter rallies around the country on Saturday, in defiance of warnings from officials over the virus.
Police initially succeeded in having Sydney's march declared illegal, only for a court to overturn that ruling on Saturday as defiant protesters massed anyway.
Now political brawling over the protests is escalating. The government’s Senate leader, Mathias Cormann, has branded demonstrators "reckless" and "selfish" for ignoring the health advice.
But some opponents disagree, citing Australia's record of at least 430 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody since 1991.
"This issue of First Nations people dying in this country is what is reckless and irresponsible," Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy told Channel Nine this morning.
It had to be "a wake-up call" to end deaths in custody, added Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly praised most protesters for wearing masks, but said it was a "wait-and-see" approach to see if any infections emerged.
Last edited:
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- 217,577
Anti-racism protests have been "subverted by thuggery" that betrays their cause, the prime minister has said.
Boris Johnson was speaking after trouble flared for a second day in central London, with police drawing their batons and scuffling with protesters as they tried to force their way through to a restricted area.
Police were forced to run as bottles were thrown near the stone arches at the junction of King Charles Street and Whitehall.
Eight officers were injured after the trouble started at around 7.30pm on Sunday with the Met Police saying 12 people were arrested for public order offences.
The prime minister tweeted: "People have a right to protest peacefully & while observing social distancing but they have no right to attack the police.
"These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery - and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account."
A statue of a slave trader and merchant, which has been the subject of an 11,000-strong petition to have it removed, was also pulled down and dumped in the harbour in Bristol.
It came a day after 14 police were hurt in clashes on London's Whitehall - near The Cenotaph and Downing Street, with officers on horseback forced to charge at troublemakers.
Sky correspondent Mark White said Sunday's disorder continued into the night as several small groups set bins alight, smashed windows and threw bottles as police tried to enforce a dispersal notice in Westminster.
The earlier flare-up, involving about a few hundred protesters, came amid a second day of mainly peaceful demonstrations in UK cities.
Police and protesters clashed after a day of mostly peaceful anti-racism protests.
People took to the streets of cities such as Edinburgh and Manchester to support the Black Lives Matter movement and call for justice over the killing of George Floyd in America two weeks ago.
Elsewhere, the operational patrol unit of Warwickshire Police tweeted that the M6 southbound was temporarily closed shortly after 6pm due to pedestrian protesters blocking the carriageway at Junction 3.
The force said the M6 began to reopen an hour later, as demonstrators "headed into Coventry at Junction 2".
Thousands of people with cardboard placards descended on the US embassy in London, with the crowd snaking down the road and chanting for justice and equality.
Free masks, gloves and hand gel were being given out amid concerns from the likes of the health secretary - who told Sky News the protests could lead to a rise in coronavirus infections.
In Bristol, a controversial statue of Edward Colston - who made his fortune off the back of the slave trade - was pulled down to huge cheers and dumped in the harbour.
Home Secretary Priti Patel called it "utterly disgraceful" and an act that distracted from the protesters' cause.
Police said it was toppled by a "small group of people" who they were working to identify and that there were "no instances of disorder" or arrests among the estimated 10,000 protesters.
‘Churchill was a racist’ written on statue
'Churchill was a racist' written on statue
A statue of Sir Winston Churchill was also defaced in Westminster, with the words (Churchill) "was a racist" daubed on the plinth.
Demonstrations have been going on around the world after George Floyd, 46, was killed in Minneapolis on 25 May when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes - despite his repeated pleas that he could not breathe.
https://news.sky.com/story/george-f...demonstrations-subverted-by-thuggery-12002615
Boris Johnson was speaking after trouble flared for a second day in central London, with police drawing their batons and scuffling with protesters as they tried to force their way through to a restricted area.
Police were forced to run as bottles were thrown near the stone arches at the junction of King Charles Street and Whitehall.
Eight officers were injured after the trouble started at around 7.30pm on Sunday with the Met Police saying 12 people were arrested for public order offences.
The prime minister tweeted: "People have a right to protest peacefully & while observing social distancing but they have no right to attack the police.
"These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery - and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account."
A statue of a slave trader and merchant, which has been the subject of an 11,000-strong petition to have it removed, was also pulled down and dumped in the harbour in Bristol.
It came a day after 14 police were hurt in clashes on London's Whitehall - near The Cenotaph and Downing Street, with officers on horseback forced to charge at troublemakers.
Sky correspondent Mark White said Sunday's disorder continued into the night as several small groups set bins alight, smashed windows and threw bottles as police tried to enforce a dispersal notice in Westminster.
The earlier flare-up, involving about a few hundred protesters, came amid a second day of mainly peaceful demonstrations in UK cities.
Police and protesters clashed after a day of mostly peaceful anti-racism protests.
People took to the streets of cities such as Edinburgh and Manchester to support the Black Lives Matter movement and call for justice over the killing of George Floyd in America two weeks ago.
Elsewhere, the operational patrol unit of Warwickshire Police tweeted that the M6 southbound was temporarily closed shortly after 6pm due to pedestrian protesters blocking the carriageway at Junction 3.
The force said the M6 began to reopen an hour later, as demonstrators "headed into Coventry at Junction 2".
Thousands of people with cardboard placards descended on the US embassy in London, with the crowd snaking down the road and chanting for justice and equality.
Free masks, gloves and hand gel were being given out amid concerns from the likes of the health secretary - who told Sky News the protests could lead to a rise in coronavirus infections.
In Bristol, a controversial statue of Edward Colston - who made his fortune off the back of the slave trade - was pulled down to huge cheers and dumped in the harbour.
Home Secretary Priti Patel called it "utterly disgraceful" and an act that distracted from the protesters' cause.
Police said it was toppled by a "small group of people" who they were working to identify and that there were "no instances of disorder" or arrests among the estimated 10,000 protesters.
‘Churchill was a racist’ written on statue
'Churchill was a racist' written on statue
A statue of Sir Winston Churchill was also defaced in Westminster, with the words (Churchill) "was a racist" daubed on the plinth.
Demonstrations have been going on around the world after George Floyd, 46, was killed in Minneapolis on 25 May when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes - despite his repeated pleas that he could not breathe.
https://news.sky.com/story/george-f...demonstrations-subverted-by-thuggery-12002615
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,577
French minister denounces violence against protesters, journalists
Violence against peaceful protesters and journalists is unacceptable, whether in the United States or elsewhere, France's foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a newspaper interview published.
Asked about protests and rioting that have swept across US cities since the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, Le Drian told Le Telegramme that it was necessary to let people demonstrate freely.
"Any act of violence committed against peaceful protesters or journalists is unacceptable, in the United States or elsewhere," he told the Brittany regional newspaper.
Violence against peaceful protesters and journalists is unacceptable, whether in the United States or elsewhere, France's foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a newspaper interview published.
Asked about protests and rioting that have swept across US cities since the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, Le Drian told Le Telegramme that it was necessary to let people demonstrate freely.
"Any act of violence committed against peaceful protesters or journalists is unacceptable, in the United States or elsewhere," he told the Brittany regional newspaper.
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- 217,577
Fans of K-pop superstars BTS have matched a $1m (£787,000) donation by the group to the Black Lives Matter movement.
US-based Black Lives Matter campaigns against violence and systemic racism towards black people.
It has organised rallies in the US to protest over the killing of African-American George Floyd by a white police officer on 25 May in Minneapolis.
The death has prompted an international outcry and global protests.
On Saturday Bit Hit Entertainment, which manages BTS, said the band had donated $1m to the Black Lives Matter movement, according to Variety and Yonhap news agency.
Once word got out BTS fans, who call themselves the ARMY, started to trend the hashtag #MatchAMillion on Twitter, to raise the same amount again.
Within the first 24 hours the collection had passed $817,000, One In An Army - the fan collective that spearheaded the donation drive - said in a press release.
"We stand in solidarity with black ARMY. They're an important part of our family. And we stand with black people everywhere. Your voices deserve to be heard."
BTS's social media following is known for its devotion and activism and had already organised online protests in support of Black Lives Matter.
Last week, K-pop fans took over the hashtag #whitelivesmatter, posting en masse to drown out white-supremacist or racist posts using the hashtag.
BTS, a South Korean pop group with seven members, has been a hugely successful crossover act with fans all over the world.
They suspended their Map of the Soul world tour in April because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Several celebrities and musicians have made donations to Black Lives Matters and other causes since the death of George Floyd.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52960617
US-based Black Lives Matter campaigns against violence and systemic racism towards black people.
It has organised rallies in the US to protest over the killing of African-American George Floyd by a white police officer on 25 May in Minneapolis.
The death has prompted an international outcry and global protests.
On Saturday Bit Hit Entertainment, which manages BTS, said the band had donated $1m to the Black Lives Matter movement, according to Variety and Yonhap news agency.
Once word got out BTS fans, who call themselves the ARMY, started to trend the hashtag #MatchAMillion on Twitter, to raise the same amount again.
Within the first 24 hours the collection had passed $817,000, One In An Army - the fan collective that spearheaded the donation drive - said in a press release.
"We stand in solidarity with black ARMY. They're an important part of our family. And we stand with black people everywhere. Your voices deserve to be heard."
BTS's social media following is known for its devotion and activism and had already organised online protests in support of Black Lives Matter.
Last week, K-pop fans took over the hashtag #whitelivesmatter, posting en masse to drown out white-supremacist or racist posts using the hashtag.
BTS, a South Korean pop group with seven members, has been a hugely successful crossover act with fans all over the world.
They suspended their Map of the Soul world tour in April because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Several celebrities and musicians have made donations to Black Lives Matters and other causes since the death of George Floyd.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52960617
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,577
ABBA's Bjorn speaks out in support of Black Lives Matter protests
"The world is full of idiots," said ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus, as he condemned critics of the Black Lives Matter movement and voiced his support of the worldwide protests against racism and police brutality.
"The solidarity that we see in the streets of the cities around the world now should give us hope," the musician said in a phone-recorded video given to Reuters..
The musician, who has recently spent time self-isolating in his native Sweden due to the coronavirus pandemic, condemned those without "the imagination or will to put themselves in the place of a coloured woman or man", adding that he believes such people to be in the minority.
Ulvaeus compared the Black Lives Matter protests to the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, saying both "are about seeing the person next to you as an equal".
"I see my grandchildren growing up without an ounce of the poison of racism in them, and I think they'll stay that way," he added.
"The world is full of idiots," said ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus, as he condemned critics of the Black Lives Matter movement and voiced his support of the worldwide protests against racism and police brutality.
"The solidarity that we see in the streets of the cities around the world now should give us hope," the musician said in a phone-recorded video given to Reuters..
The musician, who has recently spent time self-isolating in his native Sweden due to the coronavirus pandemic, condemned those without "the imagination or will to put themselves in the place of a coloured woman or man", adding that he believes such people to be in the minority.
Ulvaeus compared the Black Lives Matter protests to the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, saying both "are about seeing the person next to you as an equal".
"I see my grandchildren growing up without an ounce of the poison of racism in them, and I think they'll stay that way," he added.
Sirris
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2017
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- 4,310
- Post of the Week
- 3
Things have gone too far...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What about the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMattters?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMattters</a> movement ? All you athletes have a lot to say about other matters but when it comes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blm</a> you are all <a href="https://t.co/33KaGJMNvR">https://t.co/33KaGJMNvR</a> play with black cricketers so at least do it for them !</p>— Allypally (@allypallyx) <a href="https://twitter.com/allypallyx/status/1269660937218338816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Some extremists of BLM want each and every person to explicitly say they aren't racist idiots, who don't care about black lives. At the same time they want all of us to not call out behavior like these:
Belgium:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">شاهدة إسلام بلا مسلمين خلوه يشاهد مظاهرات <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#بلجيكا</a> أيضًا <a href="https://t.co/KNcvM4fkNj">pic.twitter.com/KNcvM4fkNj</a></p>— أحوال المسلمين (@tk3stn_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/tk3stn_1/status/1269733218191884289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The way I was just cheering ����������������������
��
����</p>— Kina (@GoldeeeLoccs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldeeeLoccs/status/1267324795110264833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What about the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMattters?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMattters</a> movement ? All you athletes have a lot to say about other matters but when it comes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blm</a> you are all <a href="https://t.co/33KaGJMNvR">https://t.co/33KaGJMNvR</a> play with black cricketers so at least do it for them !</p>— Allypally (@allypallyx) <a href="https://twitter.com/allypallyx/status/1269660937218338816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Some extremists of BLM want each and every person to explicitly say they aren't racist idiots, who don't care about black lives. At the same time they want all of us to not call out behavior like these:
Belgium:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">شاهدة إسلام بلا مسلمين خلوه يشاهد مظاهرات <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#بلجيكا</a> أيضًا <a href="https://t.co/KNcvM4fkNj">pic.twitter.com/KNcvM4fkNj</a></p>— أحوال المسلمين (@tk3stn_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/tk3stn_1/status/1269733218191884289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The way I was just cheering ����������������������
������</p>— Kina (@GoldeeeLoccs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldeeeLoccs/status/1267324795110264833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,577
It is not the "job" of professional athletes to "fix the systemic problem" of racism in sport, says Sport England board member Chris Grant.
A number of sportspeople have spoken out since the death of American George Floyd.
The 46-year-old died while being arrested on 25 May in Minneapolis, USA.
Thousands of people have taken part in marches across the UK, despite a government ban on mass gatherings because of the threat of coronavirus.
England and Manchester City footballer Raheem Sterling and world heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua are among the British athletes to have backed the Black Lives Matter protests.
Sterling told the BBC "the only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting".
Grant, who is one of the most senior black administrators in British sport, has asked for a commission to be set up to explore the "roots of inequality in sport".
"These problems have grown up quietly over decades," Grant told BBC Sport.
"I salute [footballers] Raheem Sterling, Eni Aluko and Alice Dearing, who will be our first black swimmer at Tokyo next year, for speaking out.
"At the same time, it is not their job to fix this, and that is why I have written to the chairs of UK Sport and Sport England, asking them to work with other leaders in sport to see the real extent of these problems, and to fix them."
Grant's request follows comments by Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth, who said "sport has never done enough properly to tackle racism".
In response, UK Sport chair Dame Katherine Grainger said: "There is absolutely no place for racism or discrimination of any sort in sport.
"We acknowledge that, sadly, racial inequalities still exist and we are determined to do everything in our power to eradicate it.
"[UK Sport chief executive] Sally Munday and I have arranged to meet with Chris to discuss this important issue."
Sport England added: "The challenges we face in tackling long-standing racial inequalities across sport are significant and this has become an increasing focus of Sport England's work.
"We very much welcome Chris Grant's letter. He is already leading our Talent Inclusion Advisory Group and we look forward to continuing to work with him as we consider the next steps."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/52966660
A number of sportspeople have spoken out since the death of American George Floyd.
The 46-year-old died while being arrested on 25 May in Minneapolis, USA.
Thousands of people have taken part in marches across the UK, despite a government ban on mass gatherings because of the threat of coronavirus.
England and Manchester City footballer Raheem Sterling and world heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua are among the British athletes to have backed the Black Lives Matter protests.
Sterling told the BBC "the only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting".
Grant, who is one of the most senior black administrators in British sport, has asked for a commission to be set up to explore the "roots of inequality in sport".
"These problems have grown up quietly over decades," Grant told BBC Sport.
"I salute [footballers] Raheem Sterling, Eni Aluko and Alice Dearing, who will be our first black swimmer at Tokyo next year, for speaking out.
"At the same time, it is not their job to fix this, and that is why I have written to the chairs of UK Sport and Sport England, asking them to work with other leaders in sport to see the real extent of these problems, and to fix them."
Grant's request follows comments by Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth, who said "sport has never done enough properly to tackle racism".
In response, UK Sport chair Dame Katherine Grainger said: "There is absolutely no place for racism or discrimination of any sort in sport.
"We acknowledge that, sadly, racial inequalities still exist and we are determined to do everything in our power to eradicate it.
"[UK Sport chief executive] Sally Munday and I have arranged to meet with Chris to discuss this important issue."
Sport England added: "The challenges we face in tackling long-standing racial inequalities across sport are significant and this has become an increasing focus of Sport England's work.
"We very much welcome Chris Grant's letter. He is already leading our Talent Inclusion Advisory Group and we look forward to continuing to work with him as we consider the next steps."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/52966660
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,577
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wow it’s just baffling to hear her speaking about justice for the statue of a man who help enslaved black people while people are protesting and seeking justice and equality ����*
����*����* <a href="https://t.co/fCHKyZjOFP">https://t.co/fCHKyZjOFP</a></p>— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) <a href="https://twitter.com/darensammy88/status/1270067399866417154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
����*����* <a href="https://t.co/fCHKyZjOFP">https://t.co/fCHKyZjOFP</a></p>— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) <a href="https://twitter.com/darensammy88/status/1270067399866417154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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'More needs to be done to eradicate prejudice': Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told his top ministers that there was more to be done to eradicate prejudice and create opportunity in the United Kingdom but society was much less racist than it was before, his spokesman said.
"The PM said we are a much, much less racist society than we were but we must also frankly acknowledge that there is so much more to do in eradicating prejudice and creating opportunity," the spokesman told reporters.
Johnson also said he "heard" the message from those protesting after the killing of Floyd but that such action should not lead to violence, unlawful actions or the disregarding of social distancing, the spokesman added.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told his top ministers that there was more to be done to eradicate prejudice and create opportunity in the United Kingdom but society was much less racist than it was before, his spokesman said.
"The PM said we are a much, much less racist society than we were but we must also frankly acknowledge that there is so much more to do in eradicating prejudice and creating opportunity," the spokesman told reporters.
Johnson also said he "heard" the message from those protesting after the killing of Floyd but that such action should not lead to violence, unlawful actions or the disregarding of social distancing, the spokesman added.
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- 217,577
Manager Gareth Southgate says he is "tremendously proud" of how his England players have spoken out on racism and campaigned for charity in recent times.
Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings have both voiced their opinions on the Black Lives Matters movement.
Jordan Henderson led a players' initiative to raise money for the NHS, while Marcus Rashford has worked with a charity that helps feed children.
Southgate said he has "great admiration for the maturity they are showing".
"We have group of players who understand they have an opportunity to make a difference - that their voices are heard - but they do that with some responsibility as well," Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"If you believe in something strongly enough and have the opportunity to make a difference then that is something you have to grasp."
Southgate has spoken to BBC Radio 5 Live in a wide-ranging interview, which will be broadcast at 19:00 BST on Tuesday. In it he discusses football's fight against racism, how he has kept up with his England players during lockdown and how football can respond after the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking this week following the death of George Floyd and the subsequent anti-racism protests across the world, Manchester City forward Sterling said progress in the fight against racism will only come in football when more black players become managers.
Southgate said there have been "forward strides" in the global fight against racism but "huge steps" are still needed.
"I think this crosses over all professions really," he said.
"I have always been in a dressing room where a high percentage of the dressing room were black so I didn't know anything different until I stepped out of that environment.
"I wasn't as conscious of it as I have become over the last few years.
"I think yes, we should as a sport talk about opportunities for coaches and managers but there is also administration and many other areas of the game where we employ people in analysis departments and medical departments.
"We should have representation across all of those areas."
While Southgate praised many of his players' actions during lockdown, he also said he and his staff are "always observing" those who have broken rules.
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker, Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount are among the English players to have broken lockdown rules or government guidance.
"I never judge a player or person on one interaction or one error of judgement, we are all human and we all err at times, but I would also add I don't miss a lot, as a group of staff we don't miss a lot," Southgate said.
"You are always building a picture of a person, a player, whether they can fit into the culture you want.
"We would also be away for 40-50 days at a tournament and people have to be able to fit into that environment."
Southgate said the last time he met with his squad was November's Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo but he has spoken to "pretty much all" of his "30-plus" players during lockdown using online video calls.
He said learning to use the video calls had "changed his life" and will be something he uses in the future, even after the coronavirus pandemic.
"I know some people will have been using it brilliantly for a long time - I wasn't in that group," Southgate said.
"It is an area we can be more efficient in as a coaching team moving forward and keep that more regular contact with the players a little bit more personal."
Southgate said he will not be able to attend games when the Premier League returns behind closed doors on 17 June but will still assess players using video footage.
He also expressed caution about calls for Premier League clubs to give money to support lower-league clubs who struggle financially after the pandemic.
He said the sport may have to consider reducing the number of professional clubs in the future.
"I think every industry is going to look at what model works for them going forward and we might have to be creative in the way these things are run," Southgate said.
"There is obviously a desire within the game for support to filter through the pyramid but a lot of those Premier League owners have other businesses that will also be struggling and so there are consequences for everybody."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52980828
Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings have both voiced their opinions on the Black Lives Matters movement.
Jordan Henderson led a players' initiative to raise money for the NHS, while Marcus Rashford has worked with a charity that helps feed children.
Southgate said he has "great admiration for the maturity they are showing".
"We have group of players who understand they have an opportunity to make a difference - that their voices are heard - but they do that with some responsibility as well," Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"If you believe in something strongly enough and have the opportunity to make a difference then that is something you have to grasp."
Southgate has spoken to BBC Radio 5 Live in a wide-ranging interview, which will be broadcast at 19:00 BST on Tuesday. In it he discusses football's fight against racism, how he has kept up with his England players during lockdown and how football can respond after the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking this week following the death of George Floyd and the subsequent anti-racism protests across the world, Manchester City forward Sterling said progress in the fight against racism will only come in football when more black players become managers.
Southgate said there have been "forward strides" in the global fight against racism but "huge steps" are still needed.
"I think this crosses over all professions really," he said.
"I have always been in a dressing room where a high percentage of the dressing room were black so I didn't know anything different until I stepped out of that environment.
"I wasn't as conscious of it as I have become over the last few years.
"I think yes, we should as a sport talk about opportunities for coaches and managers but there is also administration and many other areas of the game where we employ people in analysis departments and medical departments.
"We should have representation across all of those areas."
While Southgate praised many of his players' actions during lockdown, he also said he and his staff are "always observing" those who have broken rules.
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker, Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount are among the English players to have broken lockdown rules or government guidance.
"I never judge a player or person on one interaction or one error of judgement, we are all human and we all err at times, but I would also add I don't miss a lot, as a group of staff we don't miss a lot," Southgate said.
"You are always building a picture of a person, a player, whether they can fit into the culture you want.
"We would also be away for 40-50 days at a tournament and people have to be able to fit into that environment."
Southgate said the last time he met with his squad was November's Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo but he has spoken to "pretty much all" of his "30-plus" players during lockdown using online video calls.
He said learning to use the video calls had "changed his life" and will be something he uses in the future, even after the coronavirus pandemic.
"I know some people will have been using it brilliantly for a long time - I wasn't in that group," Southgate said.
"It is an area we can be more efficient in as a coaching team moving forward and keep that more regular contact with the players a little bit more personal."
Southgate said he will not be able to attend games when the Premier League returns behind closed doors on 17 June but will still assess players using video footage.
He also expressed caution about calls for Premier League clubs to give money to support lower-league clubs who struggle financially after the pandemic.
He said the sport may have to consider reducing the number of professional clubs in the future.
"I think every industry is going to look at what model works for them going forward and we might have to be creative in the way these things are run," Southgate said.
"There is obviously a desire within the game for support to filter through the pyramid but a lot of those Premier League owners have other businesses that will also be struggling and so there are consequences for everybody."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52980828
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,577
Tennis-Osaka in no mood to back down on support for Black Lives Matter
Naomi Osaka, the world's highest paid sportswoman, says the voices of prominent athletes can be more influential than those of politicians and is determined that hers will be heard on the subject of racial injustice.
The two-times Grand Slam champion has faced a backlash on social media after throwing her support behind the Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the death of Floyd.
"I’m vocal because I believe in the movement and want to try to use my platform to facilitate change," Osaka told Reuters via email.
"Being silent is never the answer. Everyone should have a voice in the matter and use it."
Naomi Osaka, the world's highest paid sportswoman, says the voices of prominent athletes can be more influential than those of politicians and is determined that hers will be heard on the subject of racial injustice.
The two-times Grand Slam champion has faced a backlash on social media after throwing her support behind the Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the death of Floyd.
"I’m vocal because I believe in the movement and want to try to use my platform to facilitate change," Osaka told Reuters via email.
"Being silent is never the answer. Everyone should have a voice in the matter and use it."
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,577
CrossFit founder steps down after Floyd tweet criticism
Greg Glassman, the founder and CEO of CrossFit, has stepped down days after he apologised for a tweet about George Floyd's killing that drew widespread criticism.
Glassman said he had "created a rift" in the CrossFit community and "unintentionally hurt many of its members".
The tweet which equated Floyd's death with the coronavirus led to Reebok ending its decade-long partnership with CrossFit.
Greg Glassman, the founder and CEO of CrossFit, has stepped down days after he apologised for a tweet about George Floyd's killing that drew widespread criticism.
Glassman said he had "created a rift" in the CrossFit community and "unintentionally hurt many of its members".
The tweet which equated Floyd's death with the coronavirus led to Reebok ending its decade-long partnership with CrossFit.
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- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,577
Adidas pledges to hire more black and Latino staff
German sportswear brand Adidas has pledged to invest $20m in the black community in the US and make sure that at least 30 percent of all new US jobs are filled with black and Latino people at its Adidas and Reebok brands.
The Adidas managing board said in a statement it recognised the contribution of the black community to its success, but admitted the company must do more to fight racism and improve company culture to ensure equity, diversity and opportunity.
"While we have talked about the importance of inclusion, we must do more to create an environment in which all of our employees feel safe, heard and have equal opportunity to advance their careers," Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted said.
German sportswear brand Adidas has pledged to invest $20m in the black community in the US and make sure that at least 30 percent of all new US jobs are filled with black and Latino people at its Adidas and Reebok brands.
The Adidas managing board said in a statement it recognised the contribution of the black community to its success, but admitted the company must do more to fight racism and improve company culture to ensure equity, diversity and opportunity.
"While we have talked about the importance of inclusion, we must do more to create an environment in which all of our employees feel safe, heard and have equal opportunity to advance their careers," Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted said.
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- Mar 19, 2015
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- 15,745
Black Lives Matter: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta proud of players for instigating support
Mikel Arteta says his Arsenal players sent a "strong message" after instigating the decision to wear Black Lives Matter T-shirts and take a knee before their friendly against Brentford on Wednesday night.
Athletes across the world, including Premier League footballers Raheem Sterling, and Tyrone Mings have joined in support of protests triggered by the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in US police custody last month.
On Wednesday, Arsenal's squad warmed up in specially-made T-shirts, which carried a variety of messages in support of black communities.
Bukayo Saka wore a shirt which read: 'My skin is not a crime', while Hector Bellerin who was pictured training beside wore a shirt that said: "I'm not black but I stand with you".
Arteta then took a knee alongside his team before the game, which they lost 3-2.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News' The Football Show, Arteta revealed his players were behind the decision to wear the shirts and take a knee.
"The thing that I like most is that it came from them," Arteta said.
"I got a phone call from the captain asking to do that, I spoke with the club straight away and we were very clear that we wanted to support their intentions, everyone collaborated, we created the shirt.
"It was a really strong message and it is more powerful because it comes from them. They think they have to support these types of causes."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...teta-proud-of-players-for-instigating-support
Mikel Arteta says his Arsenal players sent a "strong message" after instigating the decision to wear Black Lives Matter T-shirts and take a knee before their friendly against Brentford on Wednesday night.
Athletes across the world, including Premier League footballers Raheem Sterling, and Tyrone Mings have joined in support of protests triggered by the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in US police custody last month.
On Wednesday, Arsenal's squad warmed up in specially-made T-shirts, which carried a variety of messages in support of black communities.
Bukayo Saka wore a shirt which read: 'My skin is not a crime', while Hector Bellerin who was pictured training beside wore a shirt that said: "I'm not black but I stand with you".
Arteta then took a knee alongside his team before the game, which they lost 3-2.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News' The Football Show, Arteta revealed his players were behind the decision to wear the shirts and take a knee.
"The thing that I like most is that it came from them," Arteta said.
"I got a phone call from the captain asking to do that, I spoke with the club straight away and we were very clear that we wanted to support their intentions, everyone collaborated, we created the shirt.
"It was a really strong message and it is more powerful because it comes from them. They think they have to support these types of causes."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...teta-proud-of-players-for-instigating-support
The Viper
T20I Debutant
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- Sep 19, 2018
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- 6,865
UK courts prepare fast-track prosecutions for Black Lives Matter protests - The Times
British courts are preparing to fast-track prosecutions for the Black Lives Matter protests, as justice secretary Robert Buckland has told magistrates to model the process along the lines of the response to rioting in London in 2011, The Times newspaper reported.
The plans made by Buckland and Interior Minister Priti Patel will lead to offenders being jailed within 24 hours of arrest to defuse disorder if they are found causing vandalism, criminal damage or assault on police officers, the report said.
The British government will publish a consultation on plans to double maximum sentences for assaulting emergency workers to two years, according to the newspaper.
Anti-racism protests have swept across the United States, Britain and other parts of the world following the death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, on May 25 after a Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
London was hit by a series of riots in the summer of 2011 after police shot dead a man who was a known criminal. An inquest found that police acted lawfully in that case.
In Britain, the protests over Floyd’s death have reignited a debate about the country’s imperialist past and a number of statues of those associated with that past have been taken down.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said earlier that more needs to be done to eradicate prejudice and create opportunity for all in Britain.
However, he added that such demonstrations should not lead to violence, unlawful actions or the disregarding of social distancing put in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-m...-matter-protests-the-times-idUKKBN23I3D0?il=0
British courts are preparing to fast-track prosecutions for the Black Lives Matter protests, as justice secretary Robert Buckland has told magistrates to model the process along the lines of the response to rioting in London in 2011, The Times newspaper reported.
The plans made by Buckland and Interior Minister Priti Patel will lead to offenders being jailed within 24 hours of arrest to defuse disorder if they are found causing vandalism, criminal damage or assault on police officers, the report said.
The British government will publish a consultation on plans to double maximum sentences for assaulting emergency workers to two years, according to the newspaper.
Anti-racism protests have swept across the United States, Britain and other parts of the world following the death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, on May 25 after a Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
London was hit by a series of riots in the summer of 2011 after police shot dead a man who was a known criminal. An inquest found that police acted lawfully in that case.
In Britain, the protests over Floyd’s death have reignited a debate about the country’s imperialist past and a number of statues of those associated with that past have been taken down.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said earlier that more needs to be done to eradicate prejudice and create opportunity for all in Britain.
However, he added that such demonstrations should not lead to violence, unlawful actions or the disregarding of social distancing put in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-m...-matter-protests-the-times-idUKKBN23I3D0?il=0
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,577
Suffolk Police have apologised after two officers stopped a black couple and demanded ID because they were "driving a motor vehicle on a road".
In footage of the incident, which occurred in Ipswich on Tuesday, an officer apparently accuses the couple of "jumping on the bandwagon" of the Black Lives Matter protests.
Ingrid Antoine-Oniyoke, 47, and her husband Falil Oniyoke, 50, were stopped after "glancing" at a police car parked near her mother's house.
In the video, a male officer says: "At the end of the day, whether it looks funny or not, you were driving a motor vehicle on a road, so therefore I am requiring you to require proof of driving (licence)."
Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke tells him: "You are kidding us right now. You can see why people get upset."
The officer replies: "All that I need is proof that you are the driver of that vehicle and you live here, and we are gone."
The couple, from Watford, had been staying at her mother's house while their own house was renovated.
In an apparent reference to the Black Lives Matter movement, the female officer tells them: "You have turned something irate that shouldn't be. You are just jumping on the bandwagon of the current climate."
The male officer then tells Mr Oniyoke and Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke "you look suspicious".
He continued: "You can argue and you can say 'why, why, why' the whole time."
Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke tells them "this is disgusting", with her husband adding that "this is profiling".
"You can laugh and shake your head as much as you want," Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke goes on.
The two officers only left after being shown ID.
Part of the incident was filmed by Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke, and outrage followed when the couple's daughter Maja posted it on Twitter.
This prompted the apology, with the force saying: "Suffolk Constabulary is aware of the video circulating on social media involving two of our officers.
"Having looked at the issues raised by a large number of people, particularly regarding certain comments which were made on the video, we would like to apologise for the offence these have caused."
It continued: "The constabulary is very aware of the depth of feeling surrounding the events of the last few weeks and the issue of racism in our society.
"We always try to ensure we police all our communities with dignity, respect and fairness. Where those values are not met we will do everything we can to learn from that."
Maja, a student, told the PA news agency that she found the clip so upsetting it was hard to watch.
"My grandma and my uncle live (in Ipswich) - my uncle and quite a lot of the black comm
https://news.sky.com/story/ipswich-...andwagon-of-black-lives-matters-12005101unity in Ipswich in response to this have said there is an issue with race and the police," she said.
In footage of the incident, which occurred in Ipswich on Tuesday, an officer apparently accuses the couple of "jumping on the bandwagon" of the Black Lives Matter protests.
Ingrid Antoine-Oniyoke, 47, and her husband Falil Oniyoke, 50, were stopped after "glancing" at a police car parked near her mother's house.
In the video, a male officer says: "At the end of the day, whether it looks funny or not, you were driving a motor vehicle on a road, so therefore I am requiring you to require proof of driving (licence)."
Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke tells him: "You are kidding us right now. You can see why people get upset."
The officer replies: "All that I need is proof that you are the driver of that vehicle and you live here, and we are gone."
The couple, from Watford, had been staying at her mother's house while their own house was renovated.
In an apparent reference to the Black Lives Matter movement, the female officer tells them: "You have turned something irate that shouldn't be. You are just jumping on the bandwagon of the current climate."
The male officer then tells Mr Oniyoke and Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke "you look suspicious".
He continued: "You can argue and you can say 'why, why, why' the whole time."
Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke tells them "this is disgusting", with her husband adding that "this is profiling".
"You can laugh and shake your head as much as you want," Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke goes on.
The two officers only left after being shown ID.
Part of the incident was filmed by Mrs Antoine-Oniyoke, and outrage followed when the couple's daughter Maja posted it on Twitter.
This prompted the apology, with the force saying: "Suffolk Constabulary is aware of the video circulating on social media involving two of our officers.
"Having looked at the issues raised by a large number of people, particularly regarding certain comments which were made on the video, we would like to apologise for the offence these have caused."
It continued: "The constabulary is very aware of the depth of feeling surrounding the events of the last few weeks and the issue of racism in our society.
"We always try to ensure we police all our communities with dignity, respect and fairness. Where those values are not met we will do everything we can to learn from that."
Maja, a student, told the PA news agency that she found the clip so upsetting it was hard to watch.
"My grandma and my uncle live (in Ipswich) - my uncle and quite a lot of the black comm
https://news.sky.com/story/ipswich-...andwagon-of-black-lives-matters-12005101unity in Ipswich in response to this have said there is an issue with race and the police," she said.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
PM: 'do not go on these demonstrations'
Johnson also urged people not take part in anti-racist protests this weekend, claiming that a “growing minority” was using the demonstrations to attack the police and public property.
He said:
What makes me sad about what’s happening today, is that you’ve got a situation in which the statute of Winston Churchill, who is a national hero, has had to be boarded up for fear of violent attack. That, to me, is both absurd and wrong. You should not have a situation in which people who are protesting on one basis are violently attacking the police or public property.
I’m afraid what’s happened with these demonstrations, is that .... a growing minority unfortunately have hijacked them, and they are using them as a pretext to attack the police to cause violence, and to cause damage to public property.
My message to everybody is that for all sorts of reasons, they should not go to these demonstrations. And whatever our feelings about the cause, we should not support a demonstration that is in all probability, looking at what’s happened before, going to end in deliberate and calculated violence.
Johnson also urged people not take part in anti-racist protests this weekend, claiming that a “growing minority” was using the demonstrations to attack the police and public property.
He said:
What makes me sad about what’s happening today, is that you’ve got a situation in which the statute of Winston Churchill, who is a national hero, has had to be boarded up for fear of violent attack. That, to me, is both absurd and wrong. You should not have a situation in which people who are protesting on one basis are violently attacking the police or public property.
I’m afraid what’s happened with these demonstrations, is that .... a growing minority unfortunately have hijacked them, and they are using them as a pretext to attack the police to cause violence, and to cause damage to public property.
My message to everybody is that for all sorts of reasons, they should not go to these demonstrations. And whatever our feelings about the cause, we should not support a demonstration that is in all probability, looking at what’s happened before, going to end in deliberate and calculated violence.
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- Oct 2, 2004
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Protesters in London have been told by police they must be off the streets by 5pm today.
The restriction is an attempt to avoid a repeat of last week's violent clashes with police during Black Lives Matter protests.
Statues in Parliament Square have been boarded up to prevent them being targeted, as some were in recent days.
And protesters will have to keep to the planned march route, which runs from Hyde Park to Whitehall.
It is "absurd and shameful" that a statue of Winston Churchill has had to be boarded up because of fears it could be vandalised, the prime minister says.
At Whitehall there will be a police barrier, with protesters asked to stay on one side and counter-protesters on the other.
The conditions have been set under section 12 of the Public Order Act.
Metropolitan Police Commander Bas Javid said he understood the depth of feeling of protesters but asked people not to come to London while lockdown rules are still in force.
"If you were planning to come to London, I again would urge you to reconsider, but if you are still intent, please familiarise yourself with what the conditions are," he said.
"Please keep yourself safe by complying with government guidance on social distancing."
Police clash with protesters during a Black Lives Matter protest rally in Westminster, London, in memory of George Floyd who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis.
He also promised a "robust" response to any disorder at protests this weekend.
"Protecting property, protecting people, particularly police officers, is really important and criminality will not be tolerated," Mr Javid said.
"The reality is it was a very, very small number of people last weekend that resorted to violence.
"But quite naturally that's what seems to get the traction on social media and in the media.
"A large, large number of people who came to London were peaceful. They demonstrated in a very peaceful and sensible way, under the current circumstances.
"But those who come along with the intention of, or they are able to be drawn into, violence when they come to London, that just won't be accepted and it won't be tolerated."
The protests were sparked by the killing of American George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis last month after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
The UK's National Police Chiefs' Council said on Friday that more than 130 people have been arrested during almost 200 demonstrations across Britain since the death of Mr Floyd.
More than 60 police officers have also been injured.
https://news.sky.com/story/black-li...osed-as-police-try-to-avoid-violence-12005747
The restriction is an attempt to avoid a repeat of last week's violent clashes with police during Black Lives Matter protests.
Statues in Parliament Square have been boarded up to prevent them being targeted, as some were in recent days.
And protesters will have to keep to the planned march route, which runs from Hyde Park to Whitehall.
It is "absurd and shameful" that a statue of Winston Churchill has had to be boarded up because of fears it could be vandalised, the prime minister says.
At Whitehall there will be a police barrier, with protesters asked to stay on one side and counter-protesters on the other.
The conditions have been set under section 12 of the Public Order Act.
Metropolitan Police Commander Bas Javid said he understood the depth of feeling of protesters but asked people not to come to London while lockdown rules are still in force.
"If you were planning to come to London, I again would urge you to reconsider, but if you are still intent, please familiarise yourself with what the conditions are," he said.
"Please keep yourself safe by complying with government guidance on social distancing."
Police clash with protesters during a Black Lives Matter protest rally in Westminster, London, in memory of George Floyd who was killed on May 25 while in police custody in the US city of Minneapolis.
He also promised a "robust" response to any disorder at protests this weekend.
"Protecting property, protecting people, particularly police officers, is really important and criminality will not be tolerated," Mr Javid said.
"The reality is it was a very, very small number of people last weekend that resorted to violence.
"But quite naturally that's what seems to get the traction on social media and in the media.
"A large, large number of people who came to London were peaceful. They demonstrated in a very peaceful and sensible way, under the current circumstances.
"But those who come along with the intention of, or they are able to be drawn into, violence when they come to London, that just won't be accepted and it won't be tolerated."
The protests were sparked by the killing of American George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis last month after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
The UK's National Police Chiefs' Council said on Friday that more than 130 people have been arrested during almost 200 demonstrations across Britain since the death of Mr Floyd.
More than 60 police officers have also been injured.
https://news.sky.com/story/black-li...osed-as-police-try-to-avoid-violence-12005747
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- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,577
Police warn far-right groups may attend London protests
People joining the Black Lives Matter demonstrations on Saturday must be off the streets by 5pm, according to conditions laid down by the Metropolitan police.
The force fear the anti-racism protests – that were sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US last month – could be met with counter-demonstrations by far-right groups.
On Friday, statues in Parliament Square including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were boarded up to prevent them being targeted by either side.
“Obviously there are some people who are generally concerned about the protection of their statues and monuments, but many people are coming for a fight, and they are talking openly about it on their social media accounts,” Nick Lowles, chief executive of the activist group Hope not Hate, told BBC radio this morning.
Met commander Bas Javid, brother of former chancellor Sajid, said he understood the depth of feeling of protesters, but asked people not to come to London while lockdown rules were still in force.
“If you were planning to come to London, I again would urge you to reconsider, but if you are still intent, please familiarise yourself with what the conditions are,” he said. “Please keep yourself safe by complying with government guidance on social distancing.”
People joining the Black Lives Matter demonstrations on Saturday must be off the streets by 5pm, according to conditions laid down by the Metropolitan police.
The force fear the anti-racism protests – that were sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US last month – could be met with counter-demonstrations by far-right groups.
On Friday, statues in Parliament Square including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were boarded up to prevent them being targeted by either side.
“Obviously there are some people who are generally concerned about the protection of their statues and monuments, but many people are coming for a fight, and they are talking openly about it on their social media accounts,” Nick Lowles, chief executive of the activist group Hope not Hate, told BBC radio this morning.
Met commander Bas Javid, brother of former chancellor Sajid, said he understood the depth of feeling of protesters, but asked people not to come to London while lockdown rules were still in force.
“If you were planning to come to London, I again would urge you to reconsider, but if you are still intent, please familiarise yourself with what the conditions are,” he said. “Please keep yourself safe by complying with government guidance on social distancing.”
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,577
Mass protests are expected in the UK today, despite warnings that such gatherings could risk spreading coronavirus.
More Black Lives Matter demonstrations are taking place, following the death of George Floyd in the US, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Counter protests from right-wing groups are also expected, while the Metropolitan Police has introduced a 17:00 BST curfew in London.
The prime minister, home secretary and Met Police commissioner have all told protesters not to congregate due to the risk to health.
So are such demonstrations actually legal given the coronavirus lockdown? BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani takes a look here.
More Black Lives Matter demonstrations are taking place, following the death of George Floyd in the US, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Counter protests from right-wing groups are also expected, while the Metropolitan Police has introduced a 17:00 BST curfew in London.
The prime minister, home secretary and Met Police commissioner have all told protesters not to congregate due to the risk to health.
So are such demonstrations actually legal given the coronavirus lockdown? BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani takes a look here.
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Restrictions have been placed by police on several groups ahead of planned protests in London this weekend.
The Metropolitan Police said several protests are scheduled in the capital on Saturday, including demonstrations by Black Lives Matter as well as left and right-wing groups.
Measures including requiring the events to end at 17:00 BST are in place following violent scenes last weekend.
Several thousand protesters are currently gathering in Westminster.
Many are centred around the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall, while others are gathered around the boarded-up statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
Various groups from around the country, including right-wing activists and groups formed of football supporters, said they had come to London to protect symbols of British history.
Among the demonstrators, who are largely white men, was Paul Golding, leader of the far-right group Britain First, who said they had turned out to "guard our monuments".
The statue of Churchill was boxed up to protect it from potential damage, after protesters daubed "was a racist" on it last weekend.
Protesters sang the national anthem and chanted "England", amid a tense atmosphere and heavy police presence.
One large group moved to barricades outside Downing Street and a number of objects were thrown towards police.
Police urged protesters not to attend demonstrations in the capital due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We are asking you not to come to London, and let your voices be heard in other ways," Met Commander Bas Javid said.
The restrictions come in the wake of violence and serious disorder in Westminster at the end of protests last weekend.
While police said those demonstrations were on the whole peaceful, there were dozens of arrests and 27 police officers were injured.
The new conditions, set out on the Met's website, apply to Black Lives Matter, and to left and right-wing groups that have notified the force of their intention to demonstrate on Saturday.
Restrictions mean Black Lives Matter demonstrators must stick to a specific route between Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square, where they will be permitted to assemble until 17:00.
Similar regulations applied to right-wing groups require them to assemble in Parliament Square and some parts of Whitehall, again until Denise Richards, who is involved in the Black Lives Matter movement in Derbyshire, said her chapter had decided not to protest in London on Saturday, and she believed other groups across the UK felt similarly.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that peaceful protesters feared they would be caught up in violent clashes with far-right demonstrators and this could "tarnish" the work of Black Lives Matter.
However, she said smaller protests would still be taking place in towns across the UK.
Nick Lowles, chief executive of campaign group Hope Not Hate, said there was a "very serious" threat of trouble from far-right activists and commended Black Lives Matter for standing down their plans to protest in London on Saturday.
"There are some people who are genuinely concerned about the protection of their statues and monuments but many people are coming for a fight and they are talking openly about it on their social media accounts," he told the programme.
A Black Lives Matter demonstration took place in central London on Friday evening with leaders of the march urging those in attendance to keep the demonstration "peaceful" and not to join any anti-racism rallies planned for the weekend.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged people to stay away from central London on Saturday, saying there was a risk of violence and disorder from extreme far-right groups planning to travel to the capital.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was also "almost impossible to keep social distance" at large protests and there was evidence from around the world that people who had attended demonstrations had caught Covid-19.
Home Secretary Priti Patel echoed that call, saying gathering in large numbers was illegal and "doing so puts everyone's lives at risk".
'Absurd and shameful'
Earlier, a statue of war-time leader Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was boarded up to protect it from potential damage.
The move was branded "absurd and shameful" by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson said the former prime minister had expressed opinions which were "unacceptable to us today" but remained a hero for saving the country from "fascist and racist tyranny".
Protesters daubed "was a racist" on Churchill's statue last weekend.
In a series of tweets, Mr Johnson urged people to "stay away" from demonstrations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We cannot try to edit or censor our past," he wrote of moves to remove tributes to historical figures. "We cannot pretend to have a different history."
Other monuments have been removed ahead of separate protests planned over the weekend, while the Cenotaph war memorial, in Whitehall, has also been covered.
In Poole, Dorset, a statue of Scouts movement founder Robert Baden-Powell is to be cladded instead of removed.
Mr Khan said other "key statues", including one of Nelson Mandela, would be protected, saying there was a risk statues could become a "flashpoint for violence".
He told the BBC he thought the focus on statues was "a huge distraction", adding that it was more important to tackle structural inequalities and racism in society.
It comes after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was thrown into the harbour in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday.
Demonstrations have been taking place across the world following the death in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
Mr Johnson said that, while he understood "legitimate feelings of outrage" at Mr Floyd's death, the "only responsible course of action" was to "stay away from these protests".
The prime minister said the demonstrations had been "hijacked by extremists intent on violence".
He added that whatever people's feelings about the cause they should not support a demonstration which "in all probability" would "end in deliberate and calculated violence".
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53031072
The Metropolitan Police said several protests are scheduled in the capital on Saturday, including demonstrations by Black Lives Matter as well as left and right-wing groups.
Measures including requiring the events to end at 17:00 BST are in place following violent scenes last weekend.
Several thousand protesters are currently gathering in Westminster.
Many are centred around the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall, while others are gathered around the boarded-up statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
Various groups from around the country, including right-wing activists and groups formed of football supporters, said they had come to London to protect symbols of British history.
Among the demonstrators, who are largely white men, was Paul Golding, leader of the far-right group Britain First, who said they had turned out to "guard our monuments".
The statue of Churchill was boxed up to protect it from potential damage, after protesters daubed "was a racist" on it last weekend.
Protesters sang the national anthem and chanted "England", amid a tense atmosphere and heavy police presence.
One large group moved to barricades outside Downing Street and a number of objects were thrown towards police.
Police urged protesters not to attend demonstrations in the capital due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We are asking you not to come to London, and let your voices be heard in other ways," Met Commander Bas Javid said.
The restrictions come in the wake of violence and serious disorder in Westminster at the end of protests last weekend.
While police said those demonstrations were on the whole peaceful, there were dozens of arrests and 27 police officers were injured.
The new conditions, set out on the Met's website, apply to Black Lives Matter, and to left and right-wing groups that have notified the force of their intention to demonstrate on Saturday.
Restrictions mean Black Lives Matter demonstrators must stick to a specific route between Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square, where they will be permitted to assemble until 17:00.
Similar regulations applied to right-wing groups require them to assemble in Parliament Square and some parts of Whitehall, again until Denise Richards, who is involved in the Black Lives Matter movement in Derbyshire, said her chapter had decided not to protest in London on Saturday, and she believed other groups across the UK felt similarly.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that peaceful protesters feared they would be caught up in violent clashes with far-right demonstrators and this could "tarnish" the work of Black Lives Matter.
However, she said smaller protests would still be taking place in towns across the UK.
Nick Lowles, chief executive of campaign group Hope Not Hate, said there was a "very serious" threat of trouble from far-right activists and commended Black Lives Matter for standing down their plans to protest in London on Saturday.
"There are some people who are genuinely concerned about the protection of their statues and monuments but many people are coming for a fight and they are talking openly about it on their social media accounts," he told the programme.
A Black Lives Matter demonstration took place in central London on Friday evening with leaders of the march urging those in attendance to keep the demonstration "peaceful" and not to join any anti-racism rallies planned for the weekend.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged people to stay away from central London on Saturday, saying there was a risk of violence and disorder from extreme far-right groups planning to travel to the capital.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was also "almost impossible to keep social distance" at large protests and there was evidence from around the world that people who had attended demonstrations had caught Covid-19.
Home Secretary Priti Patel echoed that call, saying gathering in large numbers was illegal and "doing so puts everyone's lives at risk".
'Absurd and shameful'
Earlier, a statue of war-time leader Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was boarded up to protect it from potential damage.
The move was branded "absurd and shameful" by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson said the former prime minister had expressed opinions which were "unacceptable to us today" but remained a hero for saving the country from "fascist and racist tyranny".
Protesters daubed "was a racist" on Churchill's statue last weekend.
In a series of tweets, Mr Johnson urged people to "stay away" from demonstrations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We cannot try to edit or censor our past," he wrote of moves to remove tributes to historical figures. "We cannot pretend to have a different history."
Other monuments have been removed ahead of separate protests planned over the weekend, while the Cenotaph war memorial, in Whitehall, has also been covered.
In Poole, Dorset, a statue of Scouts movement founder Robert Baden-Powell is to be cladded instead of removed.
Mr Khan said other "key statues", including one of Nelson Mandela, would be protected, saying there was a risk statues could become a "flashpoint for violence".
He told the BBC he thought the focus on statues was "a huge distraction", adding that it was more important to tackle structural inequalities and racism in society.
It comes after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was thrown into the harbour in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday.
Demonstrations have been taking place across the world following the death in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
Mr Johnson said that, while he understood "legitimate feelings of outrage" at Mr Floyd's death, the "only responsible course of action" was to "stay away from these protests".
The prime minister said the demonstrations had been "hijacked by extremists intent on violence".
He added that whatever people's feelings about the cause they should not support a demonstration which "in all probability" would "end in deliberate and calculated violence".
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53031072
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Thousands attend Black Lives Matter protests across Australia
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Thousands of people across Australia attended Black Lives Matter protests on Saturday wearing masks and practising social distancing amid warnings from state leaders to call off the events on fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections.
The rallies, dominated by a heavy police presence, were mostly peaceful. Protesters marched on the streets or gathered at public parks carrying posters that said “No Justice, No Peace” and “Sorry For The Inconvenience, We Are Trying To Change The World.”
“There have been people like my dad and Aunty Mingelly who have been pushing for change since they were my age - you know that was 50 years ago,” Jacinta Taylor, an organiser of the protest in Perth, told the rally.
“I don’t want to be having to be 80 years old and pushing for this kind of change for my children and my children’s children.”
Anti-racism protests were triggered around the world following the death late last month of African American George Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer was filmed kneeling on the handcuffed Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. [nL1N2DD04L]
Perth saw the largest gathering of all major Australian cities on Saturday, despite pleas from the premier of Western Australia (WA) state, Mark McGowan, to cancel the event until the coronavirus pandemic was over.
A Black Lives Matter protestor in Melbourne had tested positive for the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, this week, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned the mass gatherings were putting at risk the nation’s recovery.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook this week advised large gatherings were not advisable, although his wife, an indigenous woman, said she would join the rally.
Cook said in a statement his wife was a private citizen and made her own personal choices. “That’s one of the many reasons why I love her,” he said. “I have great sympathy for the cause of ensuring Aboriginal people and minorities are protected from racism.”
Protesters also gathered in small numbers in Melbourne and Sydney, calling for freedom for refugees stuck in indefinite detention.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...atter-protests-across-australia-idUSKBN23K0DC
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Thousands of people across Australia attended Black Lives Matter protests on Saturday wearing masks and practising social distancing amid warnings from state leaders to call off the events on fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections.
The rallies, dominated by a heavy police presence, were mostly peaceful. Protesters marched on the streets or gathered at public parks carrying posters that said “No Justice, No Peace” and “Sorry For The Inconvenience, We Are Trying To Change The World.”
“There have been people like my dad and Aunty Mingelly who have been pushing for change since they were my age - you know that was 50 years ago,” Jacinta Taylor, an organiser of the protest in Perth, told the rally.
“I don’t want to be having to be 80 years old and pushing for this kind of change for my children and my children’s children.”
Anti-racism protests were triggered around the world following the death late last month of African American George Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer was filmed kneeling on the handcuffed Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. [nL1N2DD04L]
Perth saw the largest gathering of all major Australian cities on Saturday, despite pleas from the premier of Western Australia (WA) state, Mark McGowan, to cancel the event until the coronavirus pandemic was over.
A Black Lives Matter protestor in Melbourne had tested positive for the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, this week, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned the mass gatherings were putting at risk the nation’s recovery.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook this week advised large gatherings were not advisable, although his wife, an indigenous woman, said she would join the rally.
Cook said in a statement his wife was a private citizen and made her own personal choices. “That’s one of the many reasons why I love her,” he said. “I have great sympathy for the cause of ensuring Aboriginal people and minorities are protected from racism.”
Protesters also gathered in small numbers in Melbourne and Sydney, calling for freedom for refugees stuck in indefinite detention.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...atter-protests-across-australia-idUSKBN23K0DC
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French police have clashed with demonstrators during a protest in Paris against racism and police brutality.
Police used tear gas against stone-throwing protesters who tried to hold a march that was banned.
The rally is part is a worldwide movement inspired by America's Black Lives Matter protests.
It was organised under the banner "Justice for Adama", after Adama Traoré, a young black man who died in French police custody in 2016.
Thousands of anti-racism activists gathered on the Place de la République in central Paris on Saturday. However they were blocked by police as they tried to stage a march to the Opera.
Clashes erupted and tear gas was fired as officers moved against the protesters. The march had been banned because of the possible threat to local businesses.
Police used tear gas against stone-throwing protesters who tried to hold a march that was banned.
The rally is part is a worldwide movement inspired by America's Black Lives Matter protests.
It was organised under the banner "Justice for Adama", after Adama Traoré, a young black man who died in French police custody in 2016.
Thousands of anti-racism activists gathered on the Place de la République in central Paris on Saturday. However they were blocked by police as they tried to stage a march to the Opera.
Clashes erupted and tear gas was fired as officers moved against the protesters. The march had been banned because of the possible threat to local businesses.
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More than 10,000 demonstrate against racism in Zurich
Demonstrators took to the streets of several Swiss cities to protest against racism, the news agency Keystone-SDA reported.
In Zurich alone, more than 10,000 people demonstrated Keystone-SDA reported, citing city police.
The mostly young protestors held up signs with slogans taken from anti-racism and anti-police brutality rallies in the US including "White silence is violence" and "Black lives matter".
Protestors also met in the capital Bern, Lausanne, and in St Gallen. During the demonstration in Zurich, people knelt down several times to commemorate the brutal incident.
Demonstrators took to the streets of several Swiss cities to protest against racism, the news agency Keystone-SDA reported.
In Zurich alone, more than 10,000 people demonstrated Keystone-SDA reported, citing city police.
The mostly young protestors held up signs with slogans taken from anti-racism and anti-police brutality rallies in the US including "White silence is violence" and "Black lives matter".
Protestors also met in the capital Bern, Lausanne, and in St Gallen. During the demonstration in Zurich, people knelt down several times to commemorate the brutal incident.
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Black Lives Matter protesters march through Tokyo
TOKYO (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters in Tokyo took part in a Black Lives Matter march on Sunday, calling for an end to racial discrimination and police abuse after the killing of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
Demonstrators marched through the streets of the capital’s Shibuya and Harajuku districts chanting and holding up signs spelling out slogans such as “Racism Is A Pandemic” and “No Justice No Peace”.
“It is not enough to just send our prayers,” Shu Fukui, a 22-year-old university graduate, told Reuters. “We need to change society, not only for George Floyd, but also for those who died in the past.”
Organisers said about 3,500 people took part in the protest. Police did not disclose an estimate.
Protests have gripped major U.S. cities and spread around the world since footage from May 25 showing a white police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck to pin him to the ground for a whole nine minutes went viral.
In Atlanta on Saturday more protests erupted after a black man was shot dead by police as he tried to escape arrest. Demonstrators shut down a major highway and burned down the Wendy’s restaurant where he was killed.
Some protesters at the Tokyo march said Japan needed to own up to its own problems with race.
“In Japan, there are far-right people who discriminate against other races. And Koreans and Chinese in Japan are exposed to a lot of hate speech,” said Naho Ida, 44. “These things must not be allowed and we need to oppose this.”
Public broadcaster NHK last week apologised and deleted from its Twitter feed an animated video about the U.S. protests that sparked online outrage for its depiction of African Americans.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-protesters-march-through-tokyo-idUSKBN23L0FZ
TOKYO (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters in Tokyo took part in a Black Lives Matter march on Sunday, calling for an end to racial discrimination and police abuse after the killing of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
Demonstrators marched through the streets of the capital’s Shibuya and Harajuku districts chanting and holding up signs spelling out slogans such as “Racism Is A Pandemic” and “No Justice No Peace”.
“It is not enough to just send our prayers,” Shu Fukui, a 22-year-old university graduate, told Reuters. “We need to change society, not only for George Floyd, but also for those who died in the past.”
Organisers said about 3,500 people took part in the protest. Police did not disclose an estimate.
Protests have gripped major U.S. cities and spread around the world since footage from May 25 showing a white police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck to pin him to the ground for a whole nine minutes went viral.
In Atlanta on Saturday more protests erupted after a black man was shot dead by police as he tried to escape arrest. Demonstrators shut down a major highway and burned down the Wendy’s restaurant where he was killed.
Some protesters at the Tokyo march said Japan needed to own up to its own problems with race.
“In Japan, there are far-right people who discriminate against other races. And Koreans and Chinese in Japan are exposed to a lot of hate speech,” said Naho Ida, 44. “These things must not be allowed and we need to oppose this.”
Public broadcaster NHK last week apologised and deleted from its Twitter feed an animated video about the U.S. protests that sparked online outrage for its depiction of African Americans.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-protesters-march-through-tokyo-idUSKBN23L0FZ
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For black people in France, George Floyd protests are personal
ROUEN, France (Reuters) - A tear rolled down Mathilla Diagana’s cheek as she sat in her student dormitory room in the northern French city of Rouen and watched an online video of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd.
“I feel anger, sadness,” said the 19-year-old, one of tens of thousands who have joined anti-racism protests in France and beyond and turned the U.S. Black Lives Matter movement into a global rallying cry.
She lives far away from the streets of Minneapolis, but the issues raging around Floyd’s death in police custody feel close to home, deeply personal.
Diagana’s biological father is from Mauritania in northwest Africa. At the age of 10 months, she was put in the care of a white foster family who raised her in a village in Normandy.
As she grew older she said she was conscious of being different. She recalled being on a beach and someone insulting her foster mother for having a mixed-race child.
She remembered boarding a bus, and a white women passenger pulling her bag in close, as though she feared Diagana was going to steal it.
When she started working summer jobs, people made remarks about her skin colour and hair. When police checked up on a student party, she felt officers were especially aggressive towards her.
She and a friend drove to Paris to join a June 2 demonstration against police violence. It was Diagana’s first protest. “I felt people’s anger and I realised I’m not alone.”
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...rge-floyd-protests-are-personal-idUSKBN23M1TR
ROUEN, France (Reuters) - A tear rolled down Mathilla Diagana’s cheek as she sat in her student dormitory room in the northern French city of Rouen and watched an online video of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd.
“I feel anger, sadness,” said the 19-year-old, one of tens of thousands who have joined anti-racism protests in France and beyond and turned the U.S. Black Lives Matter movement into a global rallying cry.
She lives far away from the streets of Minneapolis, but the issues raging around Floyd’s death in police custody feel close to home, deeply personal.
Diagana’s biological father is from Mauritania in northwest Africa. At the age of 10 months, she was put in the care of a white foster family who raised her in a village in Normandy.
As she grew older she said she was conscious of being different. She recalled being on a beach and someone insulting her foster mother for having a mixed-race child.
She remembered boarding a bus, and a white women passenger pulling her bag in close, as though she feared Diagana was going to steal it.
When she started working summer jobs, people made remarks about her skin colour and hair. When police checked up on a student party, she felt officers were especially aggressive towards her.
She and a friend drove to Paris to join a June 2 demonstration against police violence. It was Diagana’s first protest. “I felt people’s anger and I realised I’m not alone.”
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...rge-floyd-protests-are-personal-idUSKBN23M1TR
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Black Lives Matter banner in Seoul removed after Trump complaints
A large "Black Lives Matter" banner draped on the outside of the US embassy in Seoul was removed on Monday after President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure about it, two people familiar with the matter told the Reuters News Agency.
The banner was hung on the front of the mission building on Saturday as the embassy tweeted a message in support of the anti-racism campaign across the US and worldwide in response to the killing last month of Floyd.
The banner was seen as a rare show of open support for the Black Lives Matter movement by a Trump appointee, Ambassador Harry Harris.
Embassy spokesman William Coleman reiterated that Harris's reason for putting it up was "to communicate a message of solidarity with Americans concerned with racism".
Bloomberg News reported earlier that both Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were displeased about the banner.
A large "Black Lives Matter" banner draped on the outside of the US embassy in Seoul was removed on Monday after President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure about it, two people familiar with the matter told the Reuters News Agency.
The banner was hung on the front of the mission building on Saturday as the embassy tweeted a message in support of the anti-racism campaign across the US and worldwide in response to the killing last month of Floyd.
The banner was seen as a rare show of open support for the Black Lives Matter movement by a Trump appointee, Ambassador Harry Harris.
Embassy spokesman William Coleman reiterated that Harris's reason for putting it up was "to communicate a message of solidarity with Americans concerned with racism".
Bloomberg News reported earlier that both Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were displeased about the banner.
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PARIS (Reuters) - The Paris police authority said it had decided to ban three protests scheduled for Saturday, including a demonstration in front of the U.S. Embassy, due to fears of public disorder and COVID-19 risks.
The police added in a statement on Friday that its decision to ban one of the protests was in light of recent gang violence between ethnic communities in Dijon and Nice.
Last Saturday, protesters at an anti-racism rally in central Paris clashed with police, as a wave of anger continued to sweep the world following the death in the United States of African American George Floyd.
The police added in a statement on Friday that its decision to ban one of the protests was in light of recent gang violence between ethnic communities in Dijon and Nice.
Last Saturday, protesters at an anti-racism rally in central Paris clashed with police, as a wave of anger continued to sweep the world following the death in the United States of African American George Floyd.
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These protests are still going on! It has been almost 3 weeks.
Also, not sure why folks are still protesting in Paris. Incident happened in USA and not in France.
Also, not sure why folks are still protesting in Paris. Incident happened in USA and not in France.
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What do these protesters actually want? These people are just bored. They don't care about GF or BLM.
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- 15,745
Paris crowds gather to protest against racism, police violence
PARIS (Reuters) - Crowds gathered in Paris on Saturday to protest against racism and allegations of police violence against members of the Black community and ethnic minorities.
Hundreds of demonstrators started to congregate in the capital’s Place de la Republique. One carried a placard with the message “Justice For Ibo”, referring to the 2019 death of Ibrahima Bah, a Black Frenchman, in a police operation.
Protests have been taking place around the world against racism and police brutality following the death in the United States last month of Black American George Floyd.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-against-racism-police-violence-idUSKBN23R0H9
PARIS (Reuters) - Crowds gathered in Paris on Saturday to protest against racism and allegations of police violence against members of the Black community and ethnic minorities.
Hundreds of demonstrators started to congregate in the capital’s Place de la Republique. One carried a placard with the message “Justice For Ibo”, referring to the 2019 death of Ibrahima Bah, a Black Frenchman, in a police operation.
Protests have been taking place around the world against racism and police brutality following the death in the United States last month of Black American George Floyd.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-against-racism-police-violence-idUSKBN23R0H9
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The NYPD released its own body-camera footage of the incident and said an "active use of force investigation" was under way.
The incident follows widespread protests in the US and around the world in recent weeks sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis while in police custody.
The New York officer was one of four involved in detaining the man, who can be seen lying face down on the ground during the incident.
A video shot by someone at the scene showed the officer putting his arm around the man's neck as a person yells: "Stop choking him, bro... let him go."
As the man lies still on the ground, another person can be heard saying: "He's out... look, look."
The officer relaxes his grip after a fellow officer taps him and pulls on his shirt.
The incident happened at around 8.45am local time on Sunday after officers responded to reports that three men were harassing people and throwing objects at them, sources told NBC News.
Officers attempted to make an arrest after one of the men approached the officers with "a small bag" which they thought he would throw, the sources said.
The NYPD said the arrested man suffered minor injuries, NBC News reported.
Embed code:
Dermot Shea, police commissioner of New York City, tweeted: "After a swift investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau, a police officer involved in a disturbing apparent chokehold incident in Queens has been suspended without pay.
"While a full investigation is still underway, there is no question in my mind that this immediate action is necessary.
"We are committed to transparency as this process continues."
An NYPD spokesman said: "We are aware of the video and there is an active use of force investigation under way by the Internal Affairs Bureau.
"This matter is taken extremely seriously and we expect to have an update this evening as the investigation unfolds."
The NYPD banned chokeholds in 1993 and their use has been especially fraught since the 2014 death of Eric Garner after an officer put him in a chokehold while trying to arrest him.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed into law a package of police accountability measures including a ban on chokeholds following protests over Mr Floyd's killing.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week restricting the use of police chokeholds, saying they will be banned "except if an officer's life is at risk".
https://news.sky.com/story/new-york...bing-apparent-chokehold-on-black-man-12012282
The incident follows widespread protests in the US and around the world in recent weeks sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis while in police custody.
The New York officer was one of four involved in detaining the man, who can be seen lying face down on the ground during the incident.
A video shot by someone at the scene showed the officer putting his arm around the man's neck as a person yells: "Stop choking him, bro... let him go."
As the man lies still on the ground, another person can be heard saying: "He's out... look, look."
The officer relaxes his grip after a fellow officer taps him and pulls on his shirt.
The incident happened at around 8.45am local time on Sunday after officers responded to reports that three men were harassing people and throwing objects at them, sources told NBC News.
Officers attempted to make an arrest after one of the men approached the officers with "a small bag" which they thought he would throw, the sources said.
The NYPD said the arrested man suffered minor injuries, NBC News reported.
Embed code:
Dermot Shea, police commissioner of New York City, tweeted: "After a swift investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau, a police officer involved in a disturbing apparent chokehold incident in Queens has been suspended without pay.
"While a full investigation is still underway, there is no question in my mind that this immediate action is necessary.
"We are committed to transparency as this process continues."
An NYPD spokesman said: "We are aware of the video and there is an active use of force investigation under way by the Internal Affairs Bureau.
"This matter is taken extremely seriously and we expect to have an update this evening as the investigation unfolds."
The NYPD banned chokeholds in 1993 and their use has been especially fraught since the 2014 death of Eric Garner after an officer put him in a chokehold while trying to arrest him.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed into law a package of police accountability measures including a ban on chokeholds following protests over Mr Floyd's killing.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week restricting the use of police chokeholds, saying they will be banned "except if an officer's life is at risk".
https://news.sky.com/story/new-york...bing-apparent-chokehold-on-black-man-12012282
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Three French police officers have been charged with manslaughter after the death of a delivery driver in Paris.
Cedric Chouviat, 42, was stopped by police as he rode his scooter near the Eiffel Tower in January.
Video shows the father-of-five shouting "I'm suffocating" seven times during the arrest, as officers hold him while he is still wearing his helmet.
His body then goes limp.
Mr Chouviat died in hospital two days later, with a coroner ruling he died of asphyxiation and a broken larynx.
Charges were brought against one officer yesterday, a judicial source told AFP, with the other two charged last week.
A fourth police officer is under investigation but has not been charged.
Mr Chouviat's family say the manslaughter charges are not enough for the "violence and aggressiveness of the police officers" seen in the video.
They said in a statement: "Voluntary blows led to the death of Cedric Chouviat," referring to the charge of "voluntary violence" in France, which carries a longer sentence.
The family are also calling for chokeholds to be banned, as well as another technique used by officers - where someone is face down on the ground and pressure is applied to their upper body.
Mr Chouviat was of Algerian origin. In France, young black North African men claim they are disproportionately targeted by police.
Despite the coronavirus crisis, protesters across the country have been marching over the death of Adama Traore, a 24-year-old black man who died in French policy custody in 2016.
His family claim his last words were the same as George Floyd's: "I can't breathe".
Mr Floyd's death in Minneapolis in May - also at the hands of police - triggered the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests.
https://news.sky.com/story/cedric-c...laughter-over-delivery-drivers-death-12030267
Cedric Chouviat, 42, was stopped by police as he rode his scooter near the Eiffel Tower in January.
Video shows the father-of-five shouting "I'm suffocating" seven times during the arrest, as officers hold him while he is still wearing his helmet.
His body then goes limp.
Mr Chouviat died in hospital two days later, with a coroner ruling he died of asphyxiation and a broken larynx.
Charges were brought against one officer yesterday, a judicial source told AFP, with the other two charged last week.
A fourth police officer is under investigation but has not been charged.
Mr Chouviat's family say the manslaughter charges are not enough for the "violence and aggressiveness of the police officers" seen in the video.
They said in a statement: "Voluntary blows led to the death of Cedric Chouviat," referring to the charge of "voluntary violence" in France, which carries a longer sentence.
The family are also calling for chokeholds to be banned, as well as another technique used by officers - where someone is face down on the ground and pressure is applied to their upper body.
Mr Chouviat was of Algerian origin. In France, young black North African men claim they are disproportionately targeted by police.
Despite the coronavirus crisis, protesters across the country have been marching over the death of Adama Traore, a 24-year-old black man who died in French policy custody in 2016.
His family claim his last words were the same as George Floyd's: "I can't breathe".
Mr Floyd's death in Minneapolis in May - also at the hands of police - triggered the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests.
https://news.sky.com/story/cedric-c...laughter-over-delivery-drivers-death-12030267
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States can restrict protests on public health grounds, U.N. says
GENEVA (Reuters) - Governments have the right to restrict protests on public health grounds, the U.N. Human Rights Committee said on Wednesday.
The committee stepped in to formulate its legal interpretation having seen a gap in the international norms being tested even before the coronavirus pandemic.
But with the proliferation of Black Lives Matter protests and others demonstrations when authorities are trying to stem the spread of COVID-19, the matter has become more pressing.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, signed by 173 countries, including the United States and China, has always allowed for restrictions to be placed on the rights of peaceful assembly on grounds including public health and the new document, called a “general comment”, confirmed that.
“The protection of ‘public health’ ground may exceptionally permit restrictions to be imposed, for example where there is an outbreak of an infectious disease and gatherings are dangerous,” the report said.
The document’s author, Christof Heyns, said the legal interpretation was intended to set out the “rules of the game not just for protesters but for police”.
On the issue of whether protesters are allowed to wear masks to hide their identity as pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong have, the report said they had the right to wear them.
It also says that public order, one of the other grounds on which governments can restrict assemblies, “should not be used unduly”.
Asked about whether a state requirement to wear face coverings during the pandemic was a human rights violation, Heyns told Reuters: “It’s understandable and acceptable that for health reasons there may be limits on your rights.”
However his comments on COVID face coverings were not part of the official legal report. In parts of the United States, as well as Australia, the issue of mask-wearing has been divisive in some cases resulting in anti-mask protests.
The 18-person U.N. Human Rights Committee does not have enforcement powers but it reviews the party states’ implementation of its rules and may call them out for not conforming.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-public-health-grounds-u-n-says-idUSKCN24U1U1
GENEVA (Reuters) - Governments have the right to restrict protests on public health grounds, the U.N. Human Rights Committee said on Wednesday.
The committee stepped in to formulate its legal interpretation having seen a gap in the international norms being tested even before the coronavirus pandemic.
But with the proliferation of Black Lives Matter protests and others demonstrations when authorities are trying to stem the spread of COVID-19, the matter has become more pressing.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, signed by 173 countries, including the United States and China, has always allowed for restrictions to be placed on the rights of peaceful assembly on grounds including public health and the new document, called a “general comment”, confirmed that.
“The protection of ‘public health’ ground may exceptionally permit restrictions to be imposed, for example where there is an outbreak of an infectious disease and gatherings are dangerous,” the report said.
The document’s author, Christof Heyns, said the legal interpretation was intended to set out the “rules of the game not just for protesters but for police”.
On the issue of whether protesters are allowed to wear masks to hide their identity as pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong have, the report said they had the right to wear them.
It also says that public order, one of the other grounds on which governments can restrict assemblies, “should not be used unduly”.
Asked about whether a state requirement to wear face coverings during the pandemic was a human rights violation, Heyns told Reuters: “It’s understandable and acceptable that for health reasons there may be limits on your rights.”
However his comments on COVID face coverings were not part of the official legal report. In parts of the United States, as well as Australia, the issue of mask-wearing has been divisive in some cases resulting in anti-mask protests.
The 18-person U.N. Human Rights Committee does not have enforcement powers but it reviews the party states’ implementation of its rules and may call them out for not conforming.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-public-health-grounds-u-n-says-idUSKCN24U1U1
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,577
Hundreds of people in Italy have joined a funeral procession for a young black man who was brutally beaten to death in a killing that has sent shockwaves through the country.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Italy's interior minister were among those who attended the funeral for Willy Monteiro Duarte.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Italy's interior minister were among those who attended the funeral for Willy Monteiro Duarte.
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