Police officers 'take a knee' in front of angry crowd of 2,000 Black Lives Matter protestors at the gates of Number 10 yelling 'f*** Boris, f*** Trump' as plastic bottles are thrown, an officer is punched and at least one demonstrator arrested
- Black Lives Matter protest underway at Hyde Park in London is second major demonstration in UK so far
- Stand Up To Racism also wants Britons to 'take the knee' on doorsteps at 6pm tonight in separate protest
- UK police chief constables have called for 'justice and accountability' and condemn violent scenes in US
- Metropolitan Police officers went down on one knee in solidarity with the protesters near Downing Street
- George Floyd died after white police officer put knee on his neck in Minneapolis for nine minutes last week
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A line of Metropolitan Police officers 'took a knee' in tribute to George Floyd today as thousands of protesters gathered outside Downing Street.
At least 15,000 Black Lives Matter protesters including actor John Boyega and singer Liam Payne gathered in London, ignoring social distancing guidelines, as a show of anger against the death of Mr Floyd in the US.
And at least 2,000 of those demonstrated in front of Downing Street, shouting 'take a knee' at Metropolitan Police officers guarding security gates.
Four officers obliged, to the approval of the crowds, who urged other officers to follow the example of their colleagues.
One of the Met Police officers who took a knee later revealed: ‘I did it because at the end of the day we’re all one.’
Police are generally advised by their senior officers to refrain from any behaviour that might bring their impartiality into question.
But the officer, based in north London, said: ‘I know I’m not racist and I know that my colleagues are not racist, so why not?
The 'take a knee' movement started in the US with NFL star Colin Kaepernick and has become a symbol of anger and solidarity against racism across the world.
In the US, officers recently started taking a knee in support of protesters following days of unrest after Mr Floyd's killing at the hands of police.
There were pockets of anger among the crowd, however, with protesters chanting 'f** Boris' and 'f** Trump'.
At least three missiles were thrown at police lines, with one officer punched and at least one demonstrator arrested. A cameraman was struck by a glass bottle and was pictured having his wound tended to by police.
However, the abuse was sporadic, with the crowd largely shouting down the culprits during the demonstration outside Downing Street.
Huge crowds had gathered in Hyde Park this afternoon as many campaigners wore face coverings and held signs with messages such as 'Please, I can't breathe', 'BLM' and 'Colour ≠ Crime'.
The rally comes as global demonstrations gather pace following the death of 46-year-old black man Mr Floyd who died after white police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck for nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25.
Today, Star Wars actor Boyega told the crowd: 'Black lives have always mattered. We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I ain't waiting.'
Police were generally keeping in the background of the protest while their helicopters circled above. Banners included 'Enough is Enough', 'Remember Smiley Culture', 'Remember Cherry Groce', and 'UK is not innocent'.
After leaving Hyde Park, the protesters clambered onto traffic lights as they marched down Park Lane towards Victoria.
They then rallied in Parliament Square in the heart of Westminster where some of the demonstrators climbed up a statue of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill.
Bob Marley's Three Little Birds blared out on a loudspeaker. One protester wore a Colin Kaepernick shirt after the black American footballer who started the knee protest in the US. Thousands of demonstrators at times went down on one knee chanting 'George Floyd, George Floyd.'
It comes after UK chief constables joined forces to say they were 'appalled and horrified' by the death and called for 'justice and accountability', while warning those attending protests to do so while maintaining a safe distance.
Separately, anti-racism campaign group Stand Up to Racism is urging Britons to 'take the knee' on their doorsteps at 6pm tonight for a protest against discrimination which is also backing the Black Lives Matter movement.
Police officers outside Downing Street take a knee in front of thousands of Black Lives Matters protesters demonstrating against the killing of George Floyd
Police officer goes to one knee in front of protesters outside Downing Street this afternoon in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement
The police officers showed solidarity with the protesters near Downing Street this evening as they demonstrated against the killing of George Floyd
US Capitol police kneel as demonstrator protest the death of George Floyd at the US Capitol today. Police officers have been 'taking a knee' to show solidarity
Police officers in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Monday take a knee when demonstrators confronted them on Monday
A police officer shakes the hand of a protester in Trafalgar Square today, as thousands of Black Lives Matter supporters demonstrate against the death of George Floyd
A police officer takes a knee in front of protesters near Downing Street today during a 'Black Lives Matter' protest following the death of George Floyd
An injured police officer, who appeared to have been struck in the head by a thrown object, is assisted by his colleagues during a Black Lives Matter protest at Trafalgar Square
This cameraman was left bloodied while covering the protest outside Downing Street today. He is thought to have been struck by a glass bottle
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