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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Kristian Johnson

Black Lives Matter Leeds protest to mark start of George Floyd murder trial proceedings

A socially distanced protest organised by the Leeds Black Lives Matter group is due to be held in the city centre this week.

Leeds Stand Up To Racism and Black Lives Matter Leeds have teamed up to organise the demonstration, which will be held in Millennium Square on Friday evening.

It follows two similar events from earlier this year. Demonstrations were held in Millennium Square and Hyde Park over two consecutive weekends in June, with thousands of people attending both protests.

They followed the death of African-American man George Floyd, who was killed after a police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Friday's protest is being held to coincide with the start of the court proceedings into his death.

However, there is also a second element to this week's protest. Organisers say they want to bring an end to Section 60 - an act which gives British police greater stop and search powers.

In a Facebook post, the organisers said: "On the day of the trial hearing of the murder of George Floyd, Leeds Stand Up To Racism and Black Lives Matter Leeds are holding a protest to call for #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd, show solidarity to the #BlackLivesMatter movement locally, nationally and internationally and demand that Section 60 is scrapped in the UK."

They say the aims are to campaign for justice for George Floyd, show solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK, "demand an equitable society for all" and to urge police to scrap Section 60.

Protest details

The demonstration is being held in Millennium Square in Leeds city centre at 6pm on Friday, September 11.

Everyone attending is being encouraged to socially distance and remain two metres apart. All those in attendance are also being told to wear face masks.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page here.

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