George Square protest planned
AN anti-racist protest is expected to take place in Glasgow on Sunday. The “Black Lives Matter” event comes in solidarity with protests which have spread across the United States after the death of unarmed black man George Floyd.
At least 30 US cities have experienced protests since his death at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested and charged in connection with the death.
The Glasgow protest is due to take place at 2pm on Sunday in front of the City Chambers.
Organisers are advising those in attendance to wear masks and protective gear and vow to follow strict social distancing rules.
The event page reads: “We have all seen the horrific crimes within the last few weeks, especially, committed by the hands of oppressive forces in America. It is essential we recognise that the UK also has built itself on crimes just as severe, past and present.
“This is not new and black people have fallen victim to a system that only exists to create class division and racial segregation.
“The time to show solidarity is now, therefore we are proposing a protest on June 7.”
Nearly 2000 people have expressed interest or marked themself as going on the event page.
On Saturday, a solidarity protest was held outside the US embassy in London.
Supporters of the Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) campaign group gathered outside the US embassy main gates for the socially-distanced protest.
Commenting on the London protest, SUTR national co-convener Weyman Bennett said: “George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police is another sign that Black lives don’t matter in Donald Trump’s racist America.
“In the UK we’ve seen a Black man tasered in front of his child in Manchester this month while Tory adviser Dominic Cummings gets away scot-free.
“Covid-19 has exposed the racism and inequality at the heart of the US and Britain. We must fight back.”
The UK also has built itself on crimes just as severe