Protest in North Kensington against the death of George Floyd

BY JULIA GREGORY, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

People protesting against the death of an unarmed black man in America gathered near Latimer Road London Underground station, close to Grenfell Tower.

The gathering followed a larger protest involving thousands of people at Trafalgar Square and outside the US Embassy in Nine Elms earlier on Sunday afternoon. There was also a protest in Battersea Park.

A group of an estimated 200 to 300 people came together for the protest in Bramley Road, in North Kensington, after the death of George Floyd who died after a white police officer continued to kneel on his neck, whilst restraining him in the US city of Minneapolis, even after he pleaded that he could not breathe.

The officer, Derek Chauvin, has since been charged with third-degree murder and sacked from his job.

The case has reignited deep-seated anger over police killings of black Americans and racism, with protests having now taken place in more than 75 cities.

While most protests have been peaceful there has been violence at some in the US with police using tear gas and rubber bullets.

Whilst residents in North Kensington supported the reason for the protest some were concerned about social distancing.

Some people who are involved in the three-year long campaign Justice for Grenfell were concerned that the protest might head towards the scarred remains on the Tower where 72 people died just under three years ago.

In the event protesters sat down in Latimer Road and were in the area for about an hour.
The North Kensington community is planning a socially distanced or virtual commemoration to mark the anniversary on June 14.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said whilst they agreed with the cause of the protest against Mr Floyd’s death they did not want people to stage an event like that at Grenfell.

They added: “It is a cause that I agree with and that’s a conversation we do need to have.”

But they said they thought Grenfell Tower was not the right place.

They were also concerned about how to protest safely and ensure social distancing because of coronavirus.

One survivor of the Grenfell Tower fire is known to have died of coronavirus.

Residents in North Kensington have a long history of protesting racial inequality, including the case of Kelso Cochrane, who was murdered in Golborne Road in 1959 by a gang of white youths, a year after the Notting Hill race riots.

Piers Thompson, who watched Sunday’s protest, said: “The death of George Floyd is a terrible thing that must not go without justice.”

Huge crowds also gathered outside American store Wholefoods on High Street Kensington on Sunday chanting No Justice No Peace.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said there were 23 arrests at the protests across Central London.

However, he said he could not break these down by location.

The arrests were “for a variety of offences including breaching the COVID legislation, assault on an emergency worker, possession of an offensive weapon and breach of the peace”.

The ages of those arrested ranged from 17 to people in their 30s.