North Wales set to challenge racism through Black Lives Matter solidarity protest this weekend

On Sunday, June 7, a peaceful protest will be held at Queens Square in Wrexham from 1pm to 3pm.

People wishing to attend are being urged to bring face masks, hand sanitiser and to keep two metre’s apart as well as sticking to the rule of not travelling more than five miles.

More information about the protest can be found online at https://www.love-wrexham.com/whats-on/black-lives-matter-solidarity-protest/

A spokesman for the North Wales Regional Equality Network (NWREN) said the group expresses its alarm and revulsion at events in the United State by joining with other organisations in protesting these events.

They added: “Racism in any form is an affront to human dignity, a threat to the whole population, to be condemned and vigorously opposed. But government-sponsored racism is especially menacing to us all.

“NWREN therefore expresses its solidarity with all victims of racial discrimination and racist violence and especially with the victims of racism in the USA.

“We salute their courage and fortitude in resisting racist violence. We support the protests this weekend in Bangor and Wrexham and urge all people of good will in North Wales to join us in opposing racism wherever and whenever it shows its ugly and dangerous face.”

Multiple protests have been held across the country, including London and Liverpool following the death of George Floyd in the United States.

African-American George Floyd, 46, was killed on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. While being arrested by Derek Chauvin, a white American police officer, the officer kept his knee on the side of Mr Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes while Mr Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down.

On May 29, Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for Mr Floyd's death, while large-scale protests have occurred in all 50 US states, with similar protests being held across the globe, including the UK.