Mayor 'takes the knee' in support of Black Lives Matter

A minute's silence was held at a vigil in Derry this afternoon in remembrance of George Floyd on the first anniversary of his death

Derek Chauvin, one of four police officers who arrived on the scene in Minneapolis, Minnesota and knelt on the neck of the 46-year-old for nine minutes and 29 seconds, is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of his murder.

Following Mr Floyd's death protests against police brutality, especially towards black people, quickly spread across the United States and globally, and led to the formation of the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Among those in attendance at today's event, organised by the North West Migrants Forum (NWMF), held in Guildhall Square, was Brian Tierney, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council who 'took the knee' with Lilian Seenoi Barr, from NWMF, in a show of support for the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Also in attendance were local councillors, Mary Durkan from the SDLP and Shaun Harkin from People Before Profit.

Cllr Harkin said: “Floyd's death put a spotlight on the terrifying arrogance of US police forces who routinely kill people of colour with the knowledge they'll get away with it, even when it happens in broad daylight with people challenging them and recording their brutality. 

“Floyd's murder also put a spotlight on the vicious poverty the vast majority of Black and other people of colour continue to face in the US, even after decades of civil rights legislation. 

“The Black Lives Matter rebellion in the US sparked a global movement challenging police violence and institutional racism. Without this movement there would have been no accountability for George Floyd's murder. There would be no discussion about the need to challenge the pervasiveness of structural racism. No matter what the political establishment says, people power is the key to bringing change.”