Black Lives Matter protesters chanted 'I can't breathe' as they took a knee in front of the Nottingham Council House. Dozens gathered in the Old Market Square to pay their tributes on the second year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd on Wednesday (May 25).
George Floyd died in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25 in 2020 after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for several minutes. It followed an altercation and attempted arrest following a report over an alleged forged $20 note, with video footage capturing Mr Floyd pleading "I can't breathe".
Mr Floyd's death caused international outrage, with protests held in major cities across the world including Nottingham. Police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted for his murder last year.
To mark the two year anniversary of Mr Floyd's death, a vigil event has been organised in Nottingham city centre, with people gathering at 5pm. Councillors and other supporters attended, with people taking a knee for several minutes.
Hassan Ahmed, councillor for the Radford ward, was also present, adding: "We need to stand up against racism. Racism is not unique to America - in the UK we see racism in all its shapes. The UK is not innocent."
He added: "People experience racism in their every day life. We need to see further than the cultural differences and ethnicity."
He added that he has experienced racism in his political life, adding that people need to stand up against institutional racism. However, he did not want to comment further about specific examples.
Cllr Ahmed added: "I have experienced racism as a councillor as well, and in my political life."
Joseph McCartney, 74, said: "We think racism is still very much prevalent in the UK. I am a working class man and I very much experience it.
"It is active, and it is not in your face but you can feel it. We do not do enough to teach this society that we cannot be treated like this."
Mr McCartney, who is an activist at Unite the Union, added: "UK is not innocent. I think we need to stop brushing it under the carpet."
Cllr Audrey Dinnall, representing the Leen Valley ward, said she has experienced 'hidden racism'. She added: "I have never experienced racism from my constituents. They are fantastic.
"Racism is in our society, is in people's workplace. People do not have to say the 'n word' for it to be considered racism".
Nottingham Stand Up To Racism initiated the event. The chair of the group Leroy Grant invited members of the public to join in 'Taking the Knee' for 8.46 minutes adjacent to the Council House steps, the time the now convicted of murderer, police officer Derek Chauvin, knelt on George Floyd's neck and killed him.
