Black Lives Matter anti-racism protest to take place in Bolton

The 'March for Justice' comes in the wake of the death of George Floyd ­— a black man living in the United States who died in police custody.

(George Floyd)

It has been organised by  Bolton4blm, and will take place at 1pm in Victoria Square, with organisers stressing it will be a 'strict social distancing protest'. 

But Leader of Bolton Council Cllr David Greenhalgh is urging people to find other ways to protest "following the shocking events in Minnesota".

College student Ridah Hassan, speaking on behalf of the organisers, said:"We are planning for a protest taking place this Saturday in Bolton Town Centre to raise awareness in our local community.

"It is vital to fight against oppression because in the 21st Century brutality against black people should not exist. By coming together and protesting inequality will hopefully send a message to many people that we do not tolerate racial abuse and we want to bring change. The change that we want to bring is peace and love.

"We should stand together in a difficult time like this to support the community and support those who need it. We have lost many great lives because of hate crime and racial abuse and we have remained quiet. One voice cannot bring change, but voices together can change the whole world."

She added: "Black people are not alone. No one is alone. We are all one because we have a common factor. We are all human despite the different backgrounds."

(Protests that have taken place in the country)

Ridah added that those attending must wear masks and gloves and social distancing rules must be followed.

(Leader of Bolton Council Cllr David Greenhalgh)

Cllr Greenhalgh said: "The right to peaceful protest is an important part of every democracy and feelings are running very high following the shocking events in Minnesota.

“Approaches have been made via letter on the part of the council with the event organiser and I would please ask people to avoid meeting in large groups at a time when we continue to face real risks from the coronavirus. We owe it to those who have died and our brave key workers in the NHS and social care to keep to the social distancing rules, however noble we feel our cause to be.

“The days when we can safely take to the streets to peacefully protest about the things which matter to us will return. Until then, please don’t put your own life at risk, and the lives of others, who may be more vulnerable to the virus.”

(Metro Mayor Andy Burnham)

Deputy Mayor Beverley Hughes said: “Peaceful protest is absolutely fundamental and part of our democracy and whilst we are in a very difficult situation it’s also clear that the risk of infection is much lower if you’re outside and if people really try, as they did here in Manchester, to respect the guidelines on keeping your distance from other people. Then it is possible to conduct those kinds of events responsibly.

“The police have been notified about a number of events that people want to participate in across Greater Manchester.

Metro Mayor Andy Burnham added: "I discouraged people from attending on Friday before what happened on Saturday.

"But I’m a white man in my fifties. I don’t know how it feels to be somebody who’s growing up who’s black in Moss Side or different community in Greater Manchester or somebody who is growing up in Oldham or Rochdale from a Bangladeshi community.

"They will feel and do feel very, very passionate about what’s been going on. I think you have to recognise we’ve got two things going on here. Both of which are critically important to people and we’re dealing with it as best we can."