Responding to reports of fines being imposed on many peaceful protestors at today’s Black Lives Matter socially distanced protest in Belfast, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International UK’s Northern Ireland Programme Director, said:

“Reports of fines being imposed on peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstrators in Belfast are deeply worrying.

“People have taken to our cities' largest public squares to express their rage at the murder of George Floyd, and take a stand against the racism which BAME people experience in the US and closer to home. Their voices must not be silenced.

“I pay tribute to today’s protest organisers in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, who went to great lengths to ensure protests were socially distanced and safe for participants in light of the current public health crisis.

“The PSNI must respect the rights of those peacefully protesting and ensure that the voices of those demanding action on tackling racial injustice are allowed to be heard.”