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		</div><p>Thousands of protesters have flooded central London for a Black Lives Matter demonstration in response to the death of George Floyd.</p>
<p>Activists chanted “<i>black lives matter</i>” and “<i>we will not be silent</i>” as they waited for the demonstration to begin at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Star Wars actor John Boyega was among those to speak at the rally before protesters, many wearing masks and holding placards, marched on Westminster.</p>
<p>It came as chief constables from across the UK issued a joint statement saying they “<i>stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified</i>” after a black man died after being restrained by US police.</p>
<p>Mr Floyd died after a white officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck in Minneapolis on May 25, sparking days of protest in the US.</p>
<p>At the London event on Wednesday, organisers provided masks and gloves to protesters who were asked to sit two metres apart unless they were from the same household.</p>
<p>Protesters were also told to keep their arms stretched out to ensure social distancing when moving around Hyde Park for the protest.</p>
<p>Naomi Smith, one of the event organisers, told the PA news agency: <i>“We want people to understand that people are dying from coronavirus and people are dying from racism.”</i></p>
<p>The 21-year-old said one of her reasons for protesting was Belly Mujinga, a railway worker who died with Covid-19 after reportedly being spat at by a man who said he was infected with the virus.</p>
<p>British Transport Police launched an investigation into her death but have since said it would not be taking any further action.</p>
<p>Thousands of activists, including members of the railway worker’s family, descended on Victoria Station – where Ms Mujinga was working at the time of the spitting incident – holding a sign that read “<i>Justice for Belly Mujinga”</i>.</p>
<p>“<i>I think that is my main reason for this, because she’s black she doesn’t have a voice right now,</i>” Ms Smith said.</p>
<p>“<i>This is our story, this is a UK story, this is what’s going on right now with us. George Floyd is in America, and we’re here for him as well.”</i></p>
<p>Protesters also headed to Downing Street, where hundreds knelt with one fist raised while facing police officers.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in the Commons that Mr Floyd’s death was “<i>inexcusable</i>”, in his first public comments on the widespread demonstrations.</p>
<p>A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer said the Labour leader supported the “<i>solidarity</i>” being shown by UK demonstrators but urged them to uphold the rules on staying two metres apart.</p>
<p>“<i>We support the right to protest, of course we do</i>,” said Sir Keir’s spokesman. “<i>But of course we would also say that we need to do it in a way which follows the Government’s guidance on social distancing.</i>”</p>
<p>In a statement, the chief constables, the chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the chief executive of the College of Policing and the president of the Police Superintendents’ Association said: “<i>We stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified by the way George Floyd lost his life. Justice and accountability should follow.</i>”</p>
<p>They also urged people who want to make their voices heard to be aware that “<i>coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread, which include not gathering outside in groups of more than six people</i>”.</p>
<p>In the US, Tuesday marked the eighth night of protests, which began in Minneapolis where Mr Floyd died, and quickly spread across the country.</p>
<p>Demonstrations have taken place in areas including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Columbia, South Carolina and Houston.</p>
<p>Some have included clashes between police and protesters, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by officers.</p>
<p>US President Donald Trump has pressed state governors to take a more forceful approach against protesters.</p>
<p>In the UK, demonstrators previously protested outside the US Embassy in south London as well as in Trafalgar Square following Mr Floyd’s death.</p>
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