Hot topics close

Winston Churchill statue vandalised on D-Day anniversary as Black Lives Matter protesters rally on Parliament

Winston Churchill statue vandalised on DDay anniversary as Black Lives Matter protesters rally on Parliament
THE Winston Churchill statue was vandalised during today’s Black Lives Matter protest in London’s Parliament Square. Pictures show police officers standing in front of the memorial with…

THE Winston Churchill statue was vandalised during today's Black Lives Matter protest in London's Parliament Square.

Pictures show police officers standing in front of the memorial with neon green graffiti defacing it on the 76th anniversary of D-Day.

 Police stand in front of the Winston Churchill statue after it was vandalised today

9

Police stand in front of the Winston Churchill statue after it was vandalised today
 A demonstrator with a mask and placard stands in front of the graffiti during the today's protest in central London

9

A demonstrator with a mask and placard stands in front of the graffiti during the today's protest in central London
 Police stand in front of the graffiti that defaces the memorial on the anniversary of D-Day

9

Police stand in front of the graffiti that defaces the memorial on the anniversary of D-Day
 Crowds swarm at the Churchill memorial during a Black Lives Matter protest today in central London

9

Crowds swarm at the Churchill memorial during a Black Lives Matter protest today in central LondonCredit: PA:Empics Entertainment
 An aerial view shows thousands of protesters gathered in Parliament Square, London, today
An aerial view shows thousands of protesters gathered in Parliament Square, London, todayCredit: supplied by Pixel8000

It appears the world-famous memorial was defaced with letters ACAB - which is believed to stand for 'All Cops Are B******s'.

Shortly afterwards, a police horse charged through a Black Lives Matter protest after a cop was knocked off the saddle.

Video from this evening outside Whitehall shows tension between police in full riot gear and protesters as objects are thrown in the crowd.

Thousands of anti-racism protesters gathered across the UK - despite Matt Hancock's plea to stay away.

Crowds met at Black Lives Matter rallies in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff and Watford following the death of George Floyd.

Mr Floyd died after a white police officer held him down by kneeling on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25, sparking days of protests in the US.

Yesterday, the Health Secretary begged Brits not to join in, urging them to avoid mass demonstrations as they breach lockdown rules.

But people have been rallying for justice in the UK all week, with thousands taking to the streets.

Boxing champ Anthony Joshua was among the crowds who marched in Watford this afternoon.

Protests across the US had initially been marred by the looting and destroying of shops, and videos of violence between police and crowds quickly spread on social media.

However, peaceful demonstrations have now taken over.

'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH'

Today, more than 15,000 peaceful demonstrators are believed to have gathered around Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester, while a similar turn out was seen outside Parliament Square in London.

In Derry, Northern Ireland, police were filmed interrupting protests by dishing out fines.

Meanwhile, activists held placards which read, "Enough is enough," "Racism is a pandemic too" and "Black Lives Matter" across the UK.

We can no longer sit back and remain silent on the senseless unlawful killings of another human being based on their skin colour.

Anthony Joshua

Boxer Anthony Joshua joined the rally in Watford, North London, wearing a Black Lives Matter T-Shirt - despite being on crutches.

Addressing the crowds, he said: "We can no longer sit back and remain silent on the senseless unlawful killings, sly racism of another human being based only on what? Their skin colour.

"We need to speak out in peaceful demonstrations just like today – so well done Watford. Inject the vaccine.

Protester Jonathan Fashanu and his partner Seleste brought their two children - aged two and nine months - to the rally in central London.

'OUR DADS FOUGHT FOR THE SAME THING'

Mr Fashanu, 35, said: "We just don't want the same thing to happen when they grow up and they get older."

"We had our dads fight for the same thing, it's always been an issue, racism is such a systemic and ingrained problem.

"And we just thought that if we don't take the steps now to come out now and do something about it, we're not giving them a fighting chance to deal with these issues."

An estimated 4,000 people will attend a demonstration in Bristol, which will include a march through the city to Castle Park on Sunday, Avon and Somerset police said.

'CORONAVIRUS STILL A THREAT'

It comes after ministers urged people not to gather in large numbers this weekend, with police warning that mass demonstrations could be unlawful.

Last night, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was "appalled" by the death of Mr Floyd, but stressed the UK was still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remained a "real threat".

Mr Hancock told the daily Downing Street briefing on Friday he could understand why people were "deeply upset", but said people in the UK should not attend large gatherings.

He said: "Like so many I am appalled by the death of George Floyd and I understand why people are deeply upset but we are still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remains a real threat.

The reason that it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease.

Matt Hancock

"The reason that it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease.

"So please, for the safety of your loved ones, do not attend large gatherings including demonstrations of more than six people."

His comments were echoed by Home Secretary Priti Patel, who wrote on Twitter: "Please for the safety of all of us, do not attend large gatherings - including protests - of more than six people this weekend.

"As @MattHancock said, coronavirus remains a real threat and people must protect themselves and their families from this horrific disease."

VACCINE BOOSTCoronavirus vaccine given 'using inhaler could be ready by next month'

HOLI-YAYBrits in line for an extra bank holiday this autumn after ministers back plans

‘LAWNMOWER ACCIDENT’'Incel bombmaker,' 23, 'blows off his own hand making explosives'

BEER WE GOPubs fast-tracked to serve in beer gardens & shops 'open all day on Sundays'

OWN GOALJohn Barnes forced to apologise after accidentally sharing porn on Twitter

'I CAN'T BREATHE'

George Floyd died after US cop Derek Chauvin brutally knelt on his neck for eight minutes, as Floyd begged him to stop.

In the video Mr Floyd had can heard begging “please, please, please, I can’t breathe”, which has sparked international unrest about the mistreatment of black people by police.

All four cops involved in Mr Floyd's deadly arrest have now been charged with his death - with Derek Chauvin set to face the more serious charge of second-degree murder.

Anthony Joshua among thousands to join Black Lives Matter protest across UK despite government's plea to avoid groups of more than six people
 Rio and Kate Ferdinand at today's protests outside Parliament

9

Rio and Kate Ferdinand at today's protests outside ParliamentCredit: Insatgram
 This is the moment a police horse bolts away from the crowd

9

This is the moment a police horse bolts away from the crowd
 This is the moment an object was thrown towards police during today's protest

9

This is the moment an object was thrown towards police during today's protest
 Demonstrators during a Black Lives Matter protest in Parliament Square, following the death of George Floyd
Demonstrators during a Black Lives Matter protest in Parliament Square, following the death of George FloydCredit: Reuters
 Two women support the Black Lives Matter movement writing 'no justice no peace'
Two women support the Black Lives Matter movement writing 'no justice no peace'Credit: Reuters
 People held signs which read 'enough is enough' and 'say their names'
People held signs which read 'enough is enough' and 'say their names'Credit: Reuters
 Boxer Anthony Joshua joined demonstrators in Watford despite being on crutches
Boxer Anthony Joshua joined demonstrators in Watford despite being on crutchesCredit: Reuters
 Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square this afternoon
Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square this afternoonCredit: Reuters
 Thousands gathered in Manchester Piccadilly Gardens today
Thousands gathered in Manchester Piccadilly Gardens todayCredit: PA:Press Association
 A woman in Manchester holds two signs as she protests for Black Lives Matter in Manchester
A woman in Manchester holds two signs as she protests for Black Lives Matter in ManchesterCredit: PA:Press Association
 Crowds gathered in Newcastle this afternoon
Crowds gathered in Newcastle this afternoonCredit: North News and Pictures
 Anthony Joshua is pictured in the middle of a crowd of protesters in Watford today
Anthony Joshua is pictured in the middle of a crowd of protesters in Watford todayCredit: Reuters
 Children in London held signs asking 'At what age do I go from cute to dangerous?'
Children in London held signs asking 'At what age do I go from cute to dangerous?'Credit: Getty Images - Getty
 Demonstrators in Manchester took to the streets to protest for Black Lives Matter
Demonstrators in Manchester took to the streets to protest for Black Lives Matter
 One placard in London reads 'Love us like you love our culture'
One placard in London reads 'Love us like you love our culture'Credit: Reuters
 Demonstrators gathered in Bute Park, Cardiff
Demonstrators gathered in Bute Park, CardiffCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 A protester holds a placard which reads 'I have a dream' outside Parliament Square in London
A protester holds a placard which reads 'I have a dream' outside Parliament Square in LondonCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Protestors walk with signs in Manchester today
Protestors walk with signs in Manchester todayCredit: London News Pictures
 A demonstrator wears a protective face masks during the Black Lives Matter protest in London
A demonstrator wears a protective face masks during the Black Lives Matter protest in LondonCredit: Reuters
 Protesters sit on the grass in Bute Park, Cardiff
Protesters sit on the grass in Bute Park, CardiffCredit: Wales News Service
 Thousands gathered outside Parliament Square in London
Thousands gathered outside Parliament Square in LondonCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Protesters hold signs reading 'No more silence'
Protesters hold signs reading 'No more silence'Credit: Reuters
 A person wearing a mask holds a Black Lives Matter placard
A person wearing a mask holds a Black Lives Matter placardCredit: Reuters
 People kneel wearing face masks during protests in Manchester today
People kneel wearing face masks during protests in Manchester todayCredit: Reuters
 Demonstrators stood outside the London landmark to get their voices heard
Demonstrators stood outside the London landmark to get their voices heardCredit: Reuters
 George Floyd was killed while under arrest as police officer Derek Chavin knelt on his neck

9

George Floyd was killed while under arrest as police officer Derek Chavin knelt on his neckCredit: Facebook
 George Floyd died after officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on his throat for eight minutes

9

George Floyd died after officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on his throat for eight minutesCredit: AP:Associated Press

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.

Similar shots
News Archive
  • Pizzahut
    Pizzahut
    Pizza edge for Domino's in India
    28 Apr 2020
    1
  • Elemental
    Elemental
    Is Eddie Murphy In Elemental? Voice Cast Confusion Explained
    14 Sep 2023
    5
  • Baboon
    Baboon
    Summer of studying baboons can open doors for Iowa State ...
    20 Nov 2023
    1
  • Kayla Harrison
    Kayla Harrison
    UFC 307 live blog: Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison
    25 days ago
    2
This week's most popular shots