London and Paris streets buzzed with anti-racist demonstrations

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The death of African American man George Floyd in the Minneapolis of America has sparked debate on the issue of racism in Europe.

In many states of America, people are continuously protesting on this issue. On Saturday, anti-apartheid demonstrations were held in other areas including Britain’s London and France’s capital Paris.

George Floyd died when a blonde police officer sat on his neck kneeling for nine minutes.

In Paris, there were clashes between the police and the people protesting against the racism and alleged police brutality. The police released tear gas shells to overcome the protesters.

Slogans of ‘No justice if no peace’ echoed in Paris

Nearly 15,000 protesters gathered at the Place de la Republique in Central Paris on Saturday afternoon on the lines of the American Black Lives Matter protests. These people were raising slogans of “No justice or no peace”.

These protests were organized under the banner of “Justice for Adama”. Adama Traor was a young black citizen who died in the custody of the French police in 2016.

Adama Traor’s sister Aisa Traor was also among the protesters. He appealed to ‘resist social discrimination, racism and police brutality’ and said that “what is happening in America is also happening in France. Our brothers are dying.”

The protesters were allowed to gather at the Place de la Republique in Paris, but they were not allowed to march from there to the Opera area, saying that this could endanger local business.

The protesters tried to march after which the police released teargas shells to stop them.

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Similar protests were held in Lyon and Marseille, France.

Why protests against French police?

The French police watchdog says that last year they had received around 1,500 complaints against police officers, about half of which were related to alleged violence cases.

Recently, the police are accused of seriously injuring a 14-year-old child. The child was detained on suspicion of attempting to steal a scooter.

Earlier on Monday, the country’s Home Minister Christophe Kestaner said that the police’s ‘chokehold’ method of apprehending the suspect should be banned.

He said that law is equal for all, there is no place of racism in it. Officers who support racism will be suspended.

Protests were also held in Britain

In London, people were instructed not to participate in the protests, but in spite of this thousands of protesters gathered in Central London.

On the other hand activists belonging to radical groups also came out on the streets. They claimed that they wanted to save the idols of the personalities associated with the history of the country from anti-racist protesters.

Apart from London, people belonging to radical groups gathered in Glasgow, Belfast and Bristol with the claim of saving the War Memorial.

In London, the police had asked the protesters to clear the roads by 17.00 hours local time. But even after this, some protesters appeared on the streets for a long time.

Police have detained around 100 people on charges of committing violence, attacking police and possessing weapons during demonstrations. Police officials say six policemen were injured in clashes with protesters.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that “there is no place of racism on the streets of our country. Legal action will be taken against anyone who attacks the police.”

Protesters gathered in Whitehall and Parliament Square. They were raising slogans of “England”. But soon the protests turned violent and protesters started throwing bottles and cans at the police.

However, there were peaceful demonstrations in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Hyde Park and Marble Arch of London.

The organizers appealed to the people not to attend any rally on Sunday as they are likely to clash with people associated with radical groups.

Apart from London, people in many other places of Britain also organized peaceful protests against racism. Thousands of people formed a human chain on the beach in Brighton.

A large number of supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement gathered in Newcastle, but here they clashed with those who opposed the protest.

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