Brighton Black Lives Matter Protest on Saturday, July 11

Organisers have announced there will be a Black Lives Matter protest held outside Brighton Pier on Saturday, July 11 for 12pm. People are encouraged to bring banners or handmade signs in support of the event.

It has been more than four months since Breonna Taylor was killed by police in her own home in Louisville, Kentucky. Hundreds of thousands of protesters have chanted her name across America and in protests across the world. On March 13, three officers with a no-knock warrant entered Taylor’s apartment looking for two people, neither of whom was Taylor. The officers fired more than 20 rounds into the apartment, hitting Taylor at least eight times. Taylor’s death took place amid a slate of high-profile killings of unarmed black people — it was just three weeks after Ahmaud Arbery was killed by white vigilantes while jogging and about 10 weeks before the fatal arrest of George Floyd.

The suspects involved in Arbery’s case were arrested and charged two weeks after a video of the incident went viral. The four officers involved in the killing of George Floyd were fired four days after Floyd’s death, with the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck charged with murder. Breonna Taylor was killed by police in March. The officers involved have not been arrested.  The Louisville Metro Police Department has since fired Officer Brett Hankison, one of the officers who fired into the apartment.

Demands for justice are widespread and only continue to grow.

Brighton Black Lives Matter Protest at Brighton Pier on Saturday, July 11 from 12pm. If you can wear a face-mask then do. Please listen to the stewards and ensure you take extra care to observe social distancing where possible. Full details of this event can be seen on the organiser’s facebook page here: 

The orgainsers  have shared how to be responsible when protesting, please take a moment to read though the guidance below.

WHY ARE YOU MARCHING WHEN THERE IS A PANDEMIC?

The government is happy to send us back to work and risk our lives for profit to protect the economy. We believe that marching and protesting for the rights of black people and people of colour is a more important cause. The World Health Organisation declared racism a more dangerous pandemic than Covid-19 and supports the global movement of protests. Following our previous march, we understand there has not been a spike of cases in our city and we thank everyone who previously attended for taking appropriate precautions.

We encourage everyone to be responsible and practice the above precautions to keep our community safe whilst standing up against racism. Please be aware that you are responsible for your own safety if you choose to attend.

We understand that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. We want to make sure that you come to our protest knowing exactly how to keep yourself and everyone around you as safe as possible.

SHOWING SYMPTOMS? DO NOT COME

If you or anyone you have been in contact with in the last 14 days has shown Covid-19 symptoms, please do not attend, support the movement from home. Anti-racism work is a lot more than marching on the streets. Hang banners on your front door and windows, buy from black-owned businesses, donate to charities that support the black community and sign petitions. You will still be helping the movement but you will also be keeping the community safe.

IF YOU ARE CLINICALLY VULNERABLE, CONSIDER NOT COMING

If you were shielding and or at risk of getting the virus, please consider not coming. As we have mentioned there are many ways you can support the movement without physically protesting. Your help is needed and we will be happy to see you on the streets with us, but please do so only if you are 100% aware that you are putting your life at a higher risk.

WEAR A MASK

We cannot stress enough how important wearing a mask or a form of face covering is and these are essential if you decide to come and protest with us. Black people and people of colour are disproportionately impacted by Covid-19, and so it is imperative that masks are an essential part of our protests in order to protect black lives and our wider community. We will be distributing masks for those who do not have them. However if you have one, please bring it. We understand that some people may not be wearing masks for a number of health-related reasons (including not not limited to lip reading, sensory difficulties, autism, learning difficulties or breathing problems) and encourage other attendees not to quickly pass judgement.

HAND SANITISER

We understand that finding hand sanitiser is a bit difficult at the moment, but if you do find it please bring it with you and make sure you keep your hands clean and do not touch your face.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

We understand that maintaining social distancing measures will not be possible at all times but encourage everyone in attendance to try to be as responsible and respectful as possible.

PACK RESPONSIBLY

Please prepare for warm weather and wear sun cream. Remember to bring water to keep hydrated, comfortable footwear and maybe some snacks for energy. Please bring and wear gloves if possible.