Black Lives Matter march planned for Eastbourne

It has been organised for Saturday, June 13, and is supporting the global campaign movement in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd.

Organisers said, “We chose to do this protest because Eastbourne has a voice to be heard and we want to protect the citizens from feeling the need to travel [to Brighton] and potentially put them in danger from the ongoing pandemic.

“We are in continued contact with Sussex Police prior to the event.”

Police chiefs condemn George Floyd’s death ahead of Black Lives Matter protests in Sussex

Protestors will gather at Princes Park at midday, where they are told it is compulsory to wear masks and socially distance. There will be a range of speakers aimed at “fight[ing] racism though unity, solidarity and education”.

For more information, follow @blacklivesmattereastbourne on Instagram.

Chief Inspector Diane Lewis, district commander for Eastbourne, said, “We are aware of the event in Eastbourne and other protests planned in Sussex and across the UK, in response to the death of George Floyd in the USA.

“We understand people want to make their voices heard. The right to lawful protest is key part of any democracy which we, as the police, uphold and facilitate.

“However, during the current pandemic, this right must be balanced against our over-riding aim - along with our partners and colleagues in other emergency services, authorities and organisations - of protecting and keeping the community safe.

“We don’t want to criminalise people but hope that anyone wishing to ensure that George Floyd’s death is acknowledged and remembered will do so in a manner that also recognises their responsibilities to contributing to the safety of everyone in their local community.

“We ask that they continue to work with officers at this challenging time and, as we have throughout this health crisis, we will engage, explain, encourage and only, as a last resort, take enforcement action.”

It comes after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked a surge of protests across the globe.

A white police officer has been charged with the murder of Mr Floyd, who was black, after a video emerged of him kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes.

In the viral video, Mr Floyd can repeatedly be heard saying ‘I can’t breathe’. He died in police custody.

The fallout from this racially aggravated event has been far reaching, with dramatic clashes between police forces and protestors across many American cities over the past week.

Anti-racist demonstrations have been seen in countries across the world, despite much of the planet still under some form of lockdown from coronavirus.

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