Dozens of activists gather in Notting Hill for Million People March in BLM protest
Just 300 BLM activists march through streets of London for the ‘Million People March’ after blocking traffic by lying down in road before heading to Hyde Park
- The Million People March is protesting against racism and is taking place in lieu of the Notting Hill carnival
- Demonstrators lay down in the road outside Notting Hill tube station and moved down the road to Hyde Park
- Protesters chanted ‘whose streets, our streets’ and ‘this is what democracy looks like’ as they marched
By Joe Middleton For Mailonline
Published: 09:23 EDT, 30 August 2020 | Updated: 13:07 EDT, 30 August 2020
Around 300 Black Lives Matter protesters marched through the streets of London today and blocked traffic outside Notting Hill tube station by lying down in the road.
The Million People March is protesting against systemic racism and is taking place in lieu of this year’s Notting Hill carnival.
Protesters chanted ‘whose streets, our streets’ and ‘this is what democracy looks like’ and held placards as they began moving down to Hyde Park.
Despite organisers urging social distancing and mask wearing for the march today, a number of demonstrators have been pictured close together or not wearing a face covering.
Around 300 Black Lives Matter protesters held placards as they marched through the streets of Notting Hill today
The Million People March is protesting against systemic racism and is taking place in lieu of this year’s Notting Hill carnival
Despite organisers urging social distancing and mask wearing for the march today, a number of demonstrators have been pictured close together or not wearing a face covering
A woman holds a sign reading ‘The UK is not innocent’ as hundreds marched from Notting Hill to Hyde Park this afternoon
Protesters taking part in the Million People March today in Hyde Park after walking from Notting Hill in west London
Numbers on the Million People march started at just a few dozen but swelled to around 300 as demonstrators made their way down Bayswater Road.
The march stopped outside Hyde Park and broke into a rendition of Redemption Song by Bob Marley as demonstrators raised their fists.
Organisers say the movement plans to push a Race Offenders Register, to prosecute those committing race offences.
Sasha Johnson, activist and co-organiser of the Million People March, said she hoped the movement would ’empower the community’.
‘Our message is listen to us, hear our words. We want sustainable and tangible change,’ she said.
Dozens of Black Lives Matter protesters have gathered outside Notting Hill tube station in west London for a demonstration
Protesters outside Notting Hill tube station in west London. The Million People March is protesting against systemic racism and is taking place in lieu of this year’s Notting Hill carnival
Protesters are seen lying down outside Notting Hill tube station in west London for a demonstration
The Million People March is protesting against systemic racism and is taking place in lieu of this year’s Notting Hill carnival
Protesters in Notting Hill in west London for an anti-racism demonstration. The carnival has been cancelled but replaced by demonstrators against systemic racism
An anti-racism activist holds a placard as she takes part in a march in London today
‘We don’t just want tokenistic promises, we don’t want it to come from a hegemonic standpoint. We want it to be for the people.’
It comes a day after a mass-gathering of Covid-19 conspiracy theorists who took to the streets of London yesterday to demonstrate against lockdown restrictions and vaccination programmes.
More than 10,000 anti-lockdown protesters who believe coronavirus is a hoax gathered for the ‘Unite for Freedom’ rally which started at noon in the capital on Saturday.
Prior to the bank holiday weekend police said a pan-London operation was in place to keep people safe. The force said they were aware of a number of planned demonstrations and events taking place across London, and have been liaising with the organisers, advising them to carefully consider the Health Protection Regulations regarding gatherings.
Contravening this legislation could result in anyone involved in the holding of a large gathering (over 30 people) being subjected to a fine up to £10,000.
Commander Bas Javid, said: ‘Our approach to policing London during this time has been to engage, explain, encourage and only then enforce, and this will continue across what we believe will be a busy long weekend.
Members of the Nation of Islam take part in the Million People anti-racism march in Notting Hill, west London this afternoon
Protesters in Notting Hill in west London for an anti-racism demonstration. One of the placards says ‘White Silence = White Violence’
Black Lives Matter protesters sit on the road in Notting Hill during the ‘Million People March’ through central London today
A group of protesters marching through central London today. Many of the protesters today could be seen wearing masks, but some did not, and social distancing was not always being complied with
People hold up placards as they take part in the inaugural Million People March march from Notting Hill to Hyde Park in London today
An anti-racism activist holds a placard as she takes part in a march in London today
‘We know people will want to be out celebrating the holiday, and we want them to do so safely reminding people of the restrictions which are in place to keep them safe.
‘Throughout this week, officers have been travelling in a Met engagement bus across London, working in conjunction with local authorities and other blue light services to meet with communities, reminding them of the Government health restrictions, and explaining our policing style and operation.
‘Watch the celebration of Carnival from the comfort of your own home, online. We urge people to not come into the traditional area to celebrate; there are no events. Where there are large gatherings of people, officers will be deployed to interact with those gathered.
‘Unlicensed Music Events (UMEs) are a blight on our communities and cause untold distress and fear, often attracting criminal behaviour and violence. If you have information about a UME contact us so we can respond quickly to close them down.’
