Landmarks and lighting features across Sunderland are being lit up tonight in a symbolic show of solidarity against racism.
Northern Spire bridge, The National Trust's Penshaw Monument, Fulwell Mill, Seaburn lighthouse, Keel Square and the Beacon of Light will all be lit purple in support of the Black Lives Matter movement which campaigns against violence and racism.
This follows the death of George Floyd in the US state of Minneapolis, who died on Monday 25 May while being restrained by a police officer. His death has prompted outrage across the world and led to wave of protests across the United States.
The City Council's Deputy Leader and Chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnership, Councillor Michael Mordey, is also urging people to make their own show of support by supporting Stand Up to Racism's #TakeTheKnee campaign.
Councillor Mordey, said: "Sunderland has a long history of standing up against racism and hate crime in all forms so we're very happy to be lighting our landmarks purple in a symbolic show of solidarity against racism.
"No-one who has seen the footage of what happened last Monday or the protests that followed George Floyd's tragic death can fail to have been moved by it. So I would urge everyone to show support for Stand up to Racism's #TakeTheKnee campaign by kneeling down on their doorsteps at 6 pm tonight or putting a poster in their window."
For more information on Stand Up to Racism's Take the knee campaign: https://www.standuptoracism.org.uk/
