An estimated 4000 Brummie’s took to the streets of Birmingham yesterday (4th June) in solidarity against racism and with a clear message that ‘Black Lives Matter’.
On the 25th of May in Minneapolis, USA, a 46 year old black man named George Floyd was murdered by a police officer (Derek Chauvin) who knelt on his neck for 9 minutes – despite pleas that he couldn’t breath.
The heartbreaking footage of Mr Floyd’s final moments sparked outrage and protests across the world.
West Midlands Police said yesterday’s demonstration in Birmingham: “presented a challenge for the city in terms of balancing people’s right to protest and the social distancing restrictions put in place to protect us all during the coronavirus health emergency”.
With passion and a dignified persistence for equality – there were no arrests and no disorder – the Brummie and honorary Brummie protesters made sure their voices were heard.
Northfield MP Gary Sambrook said: “I stand alongside all those who are rightly horrified and angered by the way George Floyd lost his life. And I condem the actions of the officers who detained him. Justice should follow.
“Racism is a stain on any society and it should be called out whether it exists.
“The protest in Birmingham yesterday was peaceful and the message was heard loud and clear.
“I appreciate that people want to make their voices heard. The right to lawful protest is key part of any democracy. But coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread, which include not gathering outside in groups of more than six people. I urge everyone to continue to follow the guidelines.”
Northfield Councillor Oliver Armstrong said: “Black lives matter. I stand in solidarity and support of my black friends, neighbours, and Northfield residents. I’ve heard people say “but all lives matter”, and this is true, yet you do not send the fire service in to all homes when one is burning, just because all homes matter, you do not expect your support of rain forests to be focused on all trees, you want it focused to fight where the violence is most (these are imperfect metaphora, useful but dangerous if we take comparing humans to objects too far). Also, most importantly, I recognise the specific and institutional racism black people face, because my black friends and colleagues tell me they do, and I believe them. I have a fuller statement on my cllr Facebook page, but to finish: I had black and Asian friends help at the last election, and they were subjected to targeted racist abuse on the streets of our area. It was heartbreaking to see. We must do more, do better, to call out racism wherever we see it. Please consider giving to #unmuted https://www.patreon.com/unmutedbrum and https://uk.gofundme.com/f/ukblm-fund if you want to help.”
Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safey & Equalities Councillor John Cotton said: “The city of Birmingham has a long and proud history of standing up to racism and to prejudice, and that is why today we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.”
West Midlands Police said: “We appreciate that [yesterday’s] gathering was much larger than is allowed by those regulations, but we have consistently said that our approach is to engage, explain and encourage people, and we will only enforce the regulations when absolutely necessary.”
“West Midlands Police, and our colleagues around the country, stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified by the way George Floyd lost his life.”
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, said: “West Midlands Police have taken a sensible approach to facilitating peaceful protests. Members of my office, including my Deputy Commissioner oversaw the policing operation.
“This is a cause that I am very supportive of. I am pleased that the protest has concluded without incident.”
Cover Photo & First Video Footage Courtesy: Zubeda Limbada (@ZubedaCFutures)
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