Anti-racism protesters gather in London
Anti-racism protesters have called for “justice” as they gathered in south-west London to commemorate almost a year since the death of George Floyd.
Around a dozen campaigners from Stand Up To Racism held placards and chanted outside the US embassy in Nine Elms on Saturday morning.
Police officers watched on as protesters unveiled banners reading “Black Lives Matter”.
The activists chanted “No justice, no peace, no racist police” before a number of speeches were made on “systemic racism which exists in the UK”.
Elizabeth Adofo, an organiser of the protest, said: “We are here today to mark one year since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of racist police officers.
“And it’s been one year since everyone across the world marched in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
“We’re here to say it’s still important, even after the cameras stop showing up, even after the big crowds on the streets, it is still important to spread that message.
“It doesn’t matter that Derek Chauvin got convicted, that is a small amount of justice of what he really deserves.”
Ms Adofo then read out the names of a number of people in the UK who she said have “died at the hands of racist police”, after which the activists chanted “say their name”.
Another protester told the group: “We continue to have this psychosis in society that splits us.
“There is racism and no justice which goes on for years and years before something is done.”
She added: “We want justice now, we want it now, we deserve it now, this country needs to wake up and correct the wrongs it’s done throughout history.”
The action is one of a fresh crop of peaceful protests across the UK to mark the upcoming one-year anniversary.
Last summer, thousands of people joined protests in cities across the UK to march for greater equality following the murder of Mr Floyd in the US on May 25.
Saturday’s protests – taking place in cities including Manchester, London, Glasgow and Swansea – will be followed by an online rally which will include speeches from university professors, solicitors, race equality campaign groups and former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott MP.
