Hyde Park filled with thousands of activists as London Black Lives Matter stages protest after George Floyd death

John Dunne @jhdunne3 June 2020

Thousands of protesters have flocked to Hyde Park to take part in a London Black Lives Matter protest in response to the death of George Floyd.

Activists, several wearing masks, waved placards and chanted "Black Lives Matter” and “no justice, no peace” as the demonstration got under way. Other signs read: “UK aren’t innocent”.

Crowds began to build in Hyde Park some three hours before the start of the protest. Since the rally at Speakers' Corner, thousands have taken to London's streets and marched on Parliament Square.

Traffic was blocked in certain areas as some climbed on phone boxes and sculptures with megaphones to whip up loud chants of "silence is violence" and "say his name, George Floyd".​

As groups gathered just after noon, social distancing became problematic due to sheer numbers.

Organisers whipped up crowds as they marched through central London to Parliament Square
PA

Stewards continually pleaded for demonstrators to spread out as they marshalled people and told them to keep a two metre distance.

Organisers were also issuing masks and gloves to protestors, while a first aid station was set up. A police helicopter buzzed above Hyde Park to monitor the protests.

George Floyd Hyde Park Protest - In pictures

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Among those protesting was London-born Star Wars actor John Boyega, who described the day's action as "vital" as he spoke to the crowds using a megaphone.

"Today is about innocent people who were halfway through their process," he said. "We don’t know what George Floyd could have achieved, we don’t know what Sandra Bland could have achieved, but today we’re going to make sure that won’t be an alien thought to our young ones.”

Thousands of protesters have flocked to Hyde Park
Sky News

The protest drew people from all over the world. Gabriella Sanchez, a Spanish national, said: “This is an international issue. We are here to show that the word justice does mean something.

Protesters holding placards
PA

German Markus Fischer said: “Injustice needs to be fought everywhere.”

Organiser Naomi Smith, 21, a hairdresser by trade, said it was "important that we do this in London to show solidarity".

She told the Standard: "We will keep to the social distance rules and this is a peaceful demonstration.” There are plans for speakers to address the crowds throughout the day.

The protestors in Hyde Park initially stuck by social distancing
PA

Another organiser said: “We are trying our best and so far people are being great.”

The protest is part of a day of action against discrimination in response to the death of Mr Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.

In the US, Tuesday marked the eighth night of the protests , which have quickly spread across the US.

John Boyega adressing the crowds
Getty Images

Demonstrations have taken place in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Columbia, South Carolina and Houston.

Some protests have included widely reported clashes between police and protesters, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets.

Protesters have also defied curfews and President Donald Trump has pressed governors to put down violence sparked by Mr Floyd’s death.

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