By Leah Conway
This week, many seem to be looking at America through a distant lens. A lens of judgement, disgust and horror at the prevailing issue of police brutality.
And yet, many do not want to acknowledge that Britain is not innocent of these injustices.
There are several victims of police brutality and systematic injustice in the UK. Rashan Charles, Mark Duggan, Edson da Costa, Adrian McDonald, Trevor Smith, to name a few.
There is has been a viral thread on Twitter demanding people to acknowledge the victims of the unjust system in the UK. ‘Say Their Name’.
While people still have much to learn about the truth of race relations in Britain, not everyone is ignorant of the facts.
Many have taken to the streets of London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, and Hull to protest in support of Black Lives Matter.
At a protest in London this week, Actor John Boyega, rallied protest attendees in an inspiring and emotional speech.
“I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing.
“We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd; we are a physical representation of our support for Sandra Bland, we are a physical representation of our support for Trayvon Martin, we are a physical representation of our support for Stephen Lawrence, for Mark Duggan.”
Another example is the peaceful protesters gathered in Hull’s Queen Victoria Square. There was a socially distanced demonstration, and people took a knee in solidarity with George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Protests show no sign of slowing down, with planned peaceful protests set out until June 13th.
Of course, there have concerns over how these protests are breaking lockdown and potentially other laws, with recent events escalating with protesters in Bristol tearing down a statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston.
Many remain adamant that injustice cannot be ignored, even in the face of lockdown. Those attending protest have been encouraged to wear facemask, gloves, use hand sanitizer and observe social distancing.