Tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters flock to anti-racism rallies
Tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters flock to anti-racism rallies across the globe after killing of George Floyd sparks wave of unrest
- People were pictured protesting the death of George Floyd in Munich, Germany, and Seoul, South Korea
- Flares were set off at a demonstration in Liege, Belgium, where protesters held signs saying ‘I can’t breathe’
- Floyd was killed when a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for more than eight minutes
By Sebastian Murphy-bates For Mailonline
Published: 03:00 EDT, 7 June 2020 | Updated: 03:46 EDT, 7 June 2020
Tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters have flocked to anti-racism rallies across the globe after the killing of George Floyd sparked a wave of unrest.
Crowds descended on cities across the world and were pictured at demonstrations in Munich, Germany, and Seoul, South Korea.
People held placards saying ‘I can’t breathe’ and set off flares in Liege, Belgium, as they donned facemasks amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Floyd was killed when white police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds despite Floyd’s desperate pleas that he ‘can’t breathe’. He passed out and later died in Minneapolis on May 25.
His death is seen as a symbol of systemic police brutality against African-Americans sparking outrage and largely-peaceful protests first across the US before quickly spreading worldwide.
Protesters wearing protective masks kneel and hold ‘May George Floyd Rest In Peace’ and ‘We Against Racism’ placards during a demonstration in Seoul, South Korea
Protesters raise their fists as they take part in a demonstration in support of the ongoing protests in the United States after George Floyd’s death, in Liege, Belgium, yesterday
People are pictured gathering at a demonstration in Munich, Germany, as they protest the death of George Floyd in the US
Protesters are pictured gathering in Seoul, South Korea, at a Black Lives Matters demonstration in memory of George Floyd yesterday
Black Lives Matter protesters are pictured gathering in Munich, Germany, yesterday as demonstrations continue across the world
Huge crowds gathered in London yesterday for a largely-peaceful protest in Parliament Square before they marched on the US Embassy
In Liege, Belgium, a huge crowd gathered to protest following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US
Demonstrators in Liege, Belgium, lit flares and raised their fists to the sky during a protest for the Black Lives Matter movement
Protesters marched along the streets of Liege, Belgium, on the way to the Place Saint Lambert in front of the Palais de Justice yesterday
Protesters lay on the floor in Liege, some clutching signs and others wearing shirts reading ‘I can’t breathe’ during the demonstration
Last night a policewoman was hospitalised after her horse bolted and another 10 officers were injured after clashes erupted at the Black Lives Matter protests in London.
Flares were hurled and a Boris bike was thrown at a police horse as tens of thousands of protesters packed into Parliament Square, despite Priti Patel urging them to stay away to avoid the Covid danger of large crowds.
Despite the majority of the protests remaining peaceful throughout the day, violence erupted on Whitehall at 7pm after tens of thousands of protesters had gathered in the capital to oppose racism and demand justice for George Floyd.
Madonna attended the march on crutches and other celebrities attending included Boris Becker and Anthony Joshua.
In the melee a missile was fired near a police horse, causing it to bolt and charge down Whitehall.
The female officer riding it slammed into a traffic light and was knocked unconscious before the horse continued galloping down Whitehall where it hit a woman protester and a lamppost.
In the melee a missile was fired near a police horse, causing it to bolt and charge down Whitehall. The female officer riding it slammed into a traffic light and was knocked unconscious before the horse continued galloping down Whitehall where it hit a woman protester and a lamppost last night
An injured police officer lays on the road after being unseated from their horse, during a demonstration on Whitehall, near the entrance to Downing Street in central London
One masked man rolled a Boris bike straight into the path of a mounted horse. Others were seen on social media throwing projectiles such as water bottles at riot police
Protesters take part in a demonstration in support of the ongoing protests in the United States after George Floyd’s death, in Liege, Belgium, yesterday
After that, groups of men hurled two Boris bikes at police horses, startling the terrified animals.
In reaction to the chaos Priti Patel last night said violence towards police at protests was ‘completely unacceptable’ and gave officers her ‘full support in tackling disorderly behaviour’.
Writing on Twitter, she said: ‘Protests must be peaceful and in accordance with social distancing rules. Violence towards a police officer is completely unacceptable at any time.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also tweeted saying: ‘To the tiny minority who were violent and threw glass bottles and lit flares – you endangered a safe and peaceful protest and let down this important cause.’
Tensions had been simmering for more than an hour at the end of Downing Street where around 400 people had gathered but the situation escalated after two flares were thrown over the security gates into the street.
Bottles and other missiles were hurled as riot squad officers emerged from behind the gates.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 14 arrests were made and 10 officers were injured in the fracas.
The force added: ‘The officer is currently in hospital, receiving treatment for her injuries which are not life-threatening. The officer fell from her horse, and we are examining the full circumstances of what took place.’
