Milton Keynes Black Lives Matter protesters praised for staying peaceful and socially-distanced during mass rally
MP Ben Everitt has praised the hundreds of people who joined Saturday's Black Lives Matter rally in Milton Keynes and slammed George Floyd's death as "utterly sickening".
Protesters gathered at CMK rail station at noon to show solidarity over the death of George Floyd and the vast majority of them stuck to social distancing rules.
Speakers stood on the steps while the crowd listened, chanted and waved placards, standing on chalk crosses marked out on the ground.
Some then walked to the nearby Milton Keynes police station, where officers "took the knee' in support.
One member said: "After the official event in Station Square had ended lots of protesters wanted to take their message to other parts of central Milton Keynes. Protesters spontaneously marched to the Council Offices, around the centre and back down to the police station. After looking like they really didn't want to for some time the police officers there took the knee and an impromptu rally was held in front of the police station."
Mr Everrit said afterwards: "George Floyd's death was utterly sickening. Racism remains a stain on global society and I fully understand people's urge to protest."
He added: "I'm proud MK protest was praised for responsible social distancing - this virus remains a threat to us all."