Black Lives Matter Protests Continue Despite Virus Fears

Black Lives Matter demonstrations have been continuing today with further protests in many European cities, including London where thousands gathered outside the US embassy.

It follows those seen in the US in reaction to the death of George Floyd while in police custody.

In Bristol, protesters tore down the statue of a prominent 17th Century slave trader, Edward Colston, whose landmark in the city centre had been defaced previously.

Earlier England's Health Secretary Matt Hancock reiterated the UK government's advice against large gatherings because of coronavirus fears. Germany's health minister, Jens Spahn, said the fight against racism needed common engagement but big crowds in the middle of a pandemic worried him.

There were similar crowds to those in London at the US embassy in Madrid.

Alba Garcia, an 18-year-old psychology student, said: "What brought me here is when I saw George Floyd's murder video - I was in a lot of pain."

In Rome, protesters stood apart but filled the city's Piazza del Popolo and kneeled in silence with their fists in the air to call for justice for Floyd. There were also marches in Copenhagen and Brussels.