Peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Glossop

Friday, 12 June 2020 09:40

Around 200 people turned out in Glossop town centre again on Wednesday evening (June 10) for another peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration.

At 6pm, protestors young and old lined both sides of High Street West - spaced out with the help of markers to observe social distancing and many wearing masks - to either stand or kneel.

Among the messages on the placards they held up were 'Black Lives Matter', 'All Lives Can't Matter Until Black Lives Matter', 'I Can't Breathe', 'Justice for George Floyd', 'The World is weeping Black Lives Matter', 'Racism Kills, Not Just Covid' and 'As a nurse I recognise two pandemics'.

Drivers passing by also beeped the horns of their vehicles in solidarity.

The demonstration - which lasted around half an hour - was in memory of George Floyd, an African-American who was recently killed by police in the United States, and of all people of colour who suffer injustice and oppression.

Organised by High Peak Stand Up to Racism, it was the second successive Wednesday evening that the event in Glossop took place. A similar peaceful event also took place last weekend in Buxton's Pavilion Gardens, where around 150 people - including many young people - turned out.

Organisers are mulling over plans to arrange another event next week.

"There was overwhelming demand from those attending to do this again next week," said Linda Walker, one of the organisers from High Peak Stand Up to Racism.

"People need an opportunity to show their solidarity and their desire for real change. There is growing movement to 'Build Back Better' as we recover after the pandemic and an end to racial injustice will be a vital part of that change."

Anyone who would like to know more can email glossopdale.standuptoracism@gmail.com.

Browse our images taken by photographer Nigel Wood...