Black Lives Matter protest organisers respond to Hastings police warning

Hastings Police said they were aware of the protest which is being planned in Hastings this Sunday (June 7).

It comes following the death of African-American George Floyd, in Minneapolis on May 25.

Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents, while three other officers have been charged with counts of aiding and abetting murder.

Mr Floyd's death has sparked protests in the US and across the world against racism and police killings of unarmed black people.

"We would like to encourage anyone who wishes to ensure that George Floyd’s death is acknowledged and remembered to do so in a safe and responsible way," Hastings Police said.

The organisers of Sunday's protest said they appreciate the concern for public safety, adding they have set up measures to ensure a socially distanced event.

Hastings Police said mass gatherings at this time could 'undermine' the work that has been done to counter the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the force added: "For the past ten weeks, we have all clapped and celebrated the monumental effort and sacrifices made by our NHS staff and other key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, and a mass gathering threatens to undermine all of that work.

"We would ask that anyone looking to support this cause considers alternative ways to do so without breaching the social distancing guidelines and risking spreading the deadly Covid-19 disease through our town.

"If the organisers of this or any protest would like to contact us, we would be happy to facilitate this peaceful protest once it is safe to do so."

In response to Hastings Police, the organisers of Sunday's protest said: "We appreciate the concern for public safety, given the global pandemic. We decided to arrange one in Hastings to limit travel - out of Hastings and to the protests in Brighton or London. We’ve been very conscious of the pandemic and set up measures to ensure a safe and socially distanced event.

"The issue here is that this concern seems to only apply when it's related to the Black Lives Matter Movement.

"On VE Day there were street parties with no masks or social distancing. Where was Hastings police then?

"Spring Bank Holiday Monday and the week of weather that followed lead to Alexandra Park packed daily, the beach the same, with very little social distancing or PPE. Where was Hastings police then?

"When it’s white people going about their lives and sunbathing in parks and beaches as they please there is no push to enforce an already crumbling quarantine.

"This gives the view that public safety is not your first focus, but stopping a peaceful protest remembering the life of George Floyd who was brutally executed by your American counterparts.

"The UK police, Hastings included, are not exempt from racism or police brutality. This is for the 1,500 people murdered in police custody without consequence.

"We will go ahead with the protest, and we encourage the Hastings Police to stand with us and not against us. We are happy to comply with your requests as long as they do not go against our rights to protest.

"I reiterate if you are attending to wear face masks, bring sanitizer and maintain 2m social distancing from anyone not in your house hold. Our goal is to remain peaceful and to come together to share experiences and pay respect to not just George Floyd, but Breanna Taylor, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland and every other victim of a global regime of police brutality and white supremacy. We stand against racism and we will not be silenced."