300 people attended a Black Lives Matter demonstration in King’s Park on Sunday to protest racism and police brutality.
The crowd gathered at King’s Park around 1pm and stood in separate 2m grids to socially distance while protesting, which was followed throughout the demonstration, Masks were also worn by all those taking part in the protest.
Addressing the crowd, protest organiser Zoe Moore said;
“On May 25, a man by the name of George Floyd was murdered by the police.
“He had not started a fight. His crime was suspected forgery. The police held him down until he could not breathe, he lost consciousness and he died within the hour.
“Stirling, we are here today because we stand in solidarity with black people around the planet and the black people of our city.
“We are here today because this problem not only exists in America, this problem does not just exist in London, this problem is here in Scotland, this problem is here in Stirling.”
The protest continued as several People of Colour who live in Stirling stood up to speak about their personal experiences and to call on people to stand against racism.
The first of the speakers was Katie, a Stirling student who spoke of her own experiences and called for an end to systemic racism and the treatment of black people, “don’t throw away black lives.”
Katie was followed by a speaker who wished to remain anonymous, who challenged the crowds gathered to stand up against racism and bigotry every day and called out people who have remained silent in the midst of systemic racism,
“I will not thank you, you should speak up every day.
“Check your privilege. The silence is deafening,” she continued.
Another speaker was Hanifa, another Stirling student, who spoke about her difficulties growing up black in a predominantly white school, and how people she considered friends would use racial slurs casually around her.
Addressing the worldwide protests she said; “all we ask is for justice and equality.”
Next was Sanna, who
“Black Lives continue to be in danger and victims of police brutality, enough is enough.
“Now is the time to listen, now is the time to change.
“How can the minority change what the majority choose to ignore?
“This time it has to be different, this time it will be different.
“Too many black lives have been taken. No justice, no peace.”
Ending the speakers was Daisy, who thanked everyone for coming to the protest and addressed the current Covid-19 pandemic.
“It means so much that so many people are here today because I know what’s at stake, we are living through a pandemic and the fact that you are here in the face of a pandemic means so much.
“When you go home, you need to continue this fight. Its going to be long and it is going to be dirty, we’ve been fighting it our whole lives and you’re just joining in now, its going to take time.
“You need to hold your friends accountable, hold yourself accountable, tell your white friends to pull up. We need your support.”
Daisy then read the long list of names of black people killed by the police in the UK and US. This was followed by an eight minute silence in the memory of George Floyd and other black people killed by police.
Its going to be long and it is going to be dirty, we’ve been fighting it our whole lives.”
As the protest came to an end. Zoe Moore said that those who attended had brought this fight to Stirling.
Some of the protesters then held a small march around King’s Park.
This demonstration coincided with other Black Lives Matter protests across the country, with protests in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Bristol to show solidarity with US protesters, stand against racism and police brutality.
Protests have been taking place worldwide following the death of George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis at the end of May.
You must log in to post a comment.