Black Lives Matter activists called for the resignation of Munira Mirza, who will play a leading role in the forthcoming racial inequality commission.
Ms Mirza, who is Director of the Number 10 Policy Unit, has been heavily criticised for describing structural racism as “more of a perception than a reality”.
Protesters assembled in Trafalgar Square to listen to speeches today after marching from Hyde Park in the capital.
Barriers erected down Whitehall to separate anti-racism demonstrators from far right counter protesters last weekend were still in place, meaning attendees were forced to walk down the river bank to reach the square.
The protest was good natured, and there was no sign of any opposing groups.
Speeches were given by different groups from the base of Nelson’s Column.
In a rousing speech, organiser Imarn Ayton called for the removal of Ms Mirza, who is playing a major role in setting up the PM’s commission on racial disparity.
She said: “We are all here today because we know that black lives matter, we are all here today because we know that black is beautiful.
“And we are all here today because we know that it is time to burn down institutional racism.”
She continued: “Boris Johnson has responded to our cry, Boris Johnson has heard our cry and he has responded with a new race inequality commission.
“We appreciate a response, we like a response but we know that a grave mistake has been made, a catastrophic mistake has been made.
“Boris Johnson has appointed a lady called Munira Mirza to head up our race inequality commission.
“This is a woman who does not believe in institutional racism – she has argued it is more of a perception than a reality.”
While the protest passed peacefully, tensions flared about 15 minutes before the rally in Trafalgar Square was due to end after a man was stopped for allegedly racially abusing a black police officer.
A tight knot of people gathered around the police and the detained man, making it impossible for the police to leave the square with the suspect.
The group only dispersed after several organisers climbed onto railings and pleaded with them to return to the speeches being given in front of the National Gallery.
A police officer said the individual had been arrested in connection with the alleged racial abuse, and for possession of stolen property relating to a bike.
