Thousands of anti-racist protestors wearing masks as the Corona Virus pandemic continues, took to the streets of Manchester for a march after kneeling at St Peter’s square at 2pm on June 7 2020 to pay respects to George Floyd.
Slogans such as ‘No justice no peace, no racist police’, ‘say his name, George Floyd’, and ‘black lives matter’ are being chanted in the streets as a fight against systematic racism persists.
As people gathered around St Peter’s Square, the black community shared their experiences, thoughts, knowledge and opinions, becoming the voices of today and the inspiration we need tomorrow.
A protestor at St Peter’s Square proclaimed “What I’m about to say is not to shame the lighter folks, we are just tired and exhausted on things the system put us through, while the only real agenda is to live in peace with you”.
Around the world, the injustice of systematic racism continues to be met with protestors after the brutal murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police officer who pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and forty six seconds until Floyd painfully uttered his last words “I can’t breathe”.
The police officer has been charged on a count of second degree murder. The three other police officers who were at the scene were charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder.
The media have taken it upon themselves to share reading materials, films, podcasts, facts and statistics going back to when and where the oppression began and looking at the injustice black citizens still face today.
So how can we contribute to the fight against systematic racism?
Here’s a breakdown of the steps you can take:
Educate yourself by reading:
- Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race- Renni Eddo Lodge
- I know why the caged bird sings- Maya Angelo
- Me and my white supremacy- Layla F Saad
Educate yourself by listening:
- The diversity gap- Bethaney Wilkinson
- Code Switch- NPR
- Slay in your lane- Studio71 Uk
Educate yourself by watching:
- 13th-Netflix, Ava DuVernay
- When they see us- Netflix, Ava DuVernay
- Dear white people- Netflix, Justin Simien
Act now by signing petitions and donating:
Speak Out 