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Black Lives Matter Protest Returns To Brighton This Weekend

Black Lives Matter Protestors are planning to return to Brighton tomorrow (Saturday).

A post on Facebook by the Brighton Black Lives Matter group said the protest will begin at Brighton Palace Pier, at around midday.

There are no details of the route as of yet but on June 13 the march travelled through the city and finished at The Level.

On the Official Brighton Black Lives Matter page on Instagram they're urging people to bring masks, gloves and water, and not to attend if they're experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.

Chief Superintendent Jerry Westerman from Sussex Police said:

"We are aware of an event planned to take place in Brighton on Saturday (July 11).

"We fully support the right for lawful protest and have facilitated many in recent years.

"However, we are mindful that the Coronavirus pandemic is still with us and this right must be balanced against our over-riding aim - in common with the whole community - of protecting and keeping the people of Brighton and Hove safe.

"We hope that everyone will act responsibly and continue to work and engage with our officers at this challenging time." 

 

A newsletter posted on the Brighton Black Lives Matter Facebook page outlines details around the protest, include a list of demands of Brighton and Hove City Council.

It asks the authority to:

"To conduct an investigation into Sussex Police's use of stop and search, and other racist practices including use of force and prevent;

"To conduct an independent inquiry to determine the BAME wage gap in the city;

"Reinstate funding for Black and Minority Ethnic Young People's Project;

"End British Airways sponsorship of i360 and ringfence the £3.1 million owed by BA specifically for investment in Black and POC community projects. (British Airways makes £30million a year from racist deportation contracts with the Home Office.)"

Brighton and Hove City Council previously pledged to become an anti-racist council.

Councillor Carmen Appich, Chair of Tourism, Equality, Communities and Culture Committee has responded to some of the issues mentioned in the newsletter.

Cllr Appich said:

"Since our pledge we have been organising ourselves so we can understand how we can create sustained change for the long term.

"This has been a time for us to listen and learn “from the lived experiences and diverse perspectives of BME people. 

“It’s vital that the anti-racism strategy we’re developing is shaped by this. We’ve also taken actions that we know our communities wanted including:

“I thank all residents, community groups and the BME Workers’ Forum who have shared with us so far. We recognise having to explain again and again compounds your experiences of discrimination and racism. 

“Your continued involvement is crucial to ensure that our future actions are guided by the needs and interests of all BME communities. In return for your investment in working with us we promise to listen and act.”

Cllr Appich added a message to protestors planning to gather tomorrow (Saturday):

"We’re again calling for peaceful protests this weekend.

"If you’re protesting – and we fully support your right to protest – please maintain safe physical distancing and take the right precautions to keep yourself, your family and our community safe from Covid-19. 

"We advise avoiding public transport if possible, washing your hands before leaving home and when you return, keeping a physical distance of two metres from people outside of your household, and staying home if you or someone in your household has symptoms of Covid-19.

"Wearing a face covering could also help protect others.

"Thank you again to the thousands of people who protested safely last time and demonstrated our city’s values.”

 

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