1000+ at peaceful demonstration

Saturday 20 June 2020

It's estimated around one thousand people were at Guernsey's Black Lives Matters solidarity protest which saw a number of people speak to the crowd before the majority of those assembled fell to one knee in silence.

The event was held on the Town Quay over Saturday lunchtime, just hours after all lockdown restrictions were lifted meaning social distancing had become a thing of the past within the Bailiwick bubble.

Pictured: The crowd stretched between the Crown and Albert piers, which were closed to traffic for the day anyway as part of efforts to encourage people to support town businesses following the covid-19 lockdown. 

The protest was originally due to be held last weekend, during phase 4 of the lockdown exit, but the organisers agreed to postpone it by a week so it would occur once the final restrictions had been lifted.

Moving the event back a week encouraged many people to attend, some wearing masks to continue protecting themselves and others from the threat of Covid-19, while people of all ages rubbed shoulders, listened to the speakers and later held hands as part of a demonstration of the 'Guernsey together' theme, this time against racism.

Pictured: Many people at the protest had taken signs with them. 

Those talking to the crowd included organiser Camille, Shekoubah and Josh, some of whom are members of newly formed campaign group Guerns Against Racism.

Deputy Emilie McSwiggan and Deputy Gavin St Pier were also asked to address the audience. 

Thanks to organisers and to so many people turning out for Black Lives Matter Guernsey event today. Racism is another important social issue which I know our community can tackle #GuernseyTogether. pic.twitter.com/RlJjfrnD6H

— Gavin St Pier #GuernseyTogether #ReviveAndThrive (@gavinstpier) June 20, 2020

Deputy McSwiggan has been involved in writing the new anti discrimination law which will be debated by the States next month. If approved it will outlaw discrimination on the grounds of race, gender and disability. She asked those gathered on the sea front to support those proposed new laws and to lobby their States members to encourage them to vote for the new legislation. 

Deputy St Pier acknowledged that he, as a white man, has not experienced discrimination beyond teasing over his hair colour. He encouraged those who want to see change in the way Guernsey is run to stand for election themselves, and to register to vote so they can elect representatives they can relate to, who can then help tackle discrimination he has learned about through speaking to those affected.

Pictured: Airriana and Jordan were among the crowd at the protest. 

Deputy St Pier was followed by a woman from South Africa who grew up during Apartheid. In tears she shared stories of how she attended a white school, and only learned to speak in other languages to speak to subservient workers at a garage or shoe shiners. She said she grew up knowing this was wrong and that her home country is now a "rainbow nation".

She encouraged everyone to hold hands with their neighbours and hold their arms aloft before the crowd were asked to take a knee for eight minutes and 46 seconds in memory of George Floyd and other black people who have died through the actions of police officers in America and the UK.

Pictured: It was estimated that a thousand people were at Guernsey's Black Lives Matter protest. 

The vast majority of people did take a knee while others stood in silence, before the solidarity protest drew to a close.

St John Ambulance and Guernsey Police both had staff in attendance throughout the event, with police officers directing traffic as many people left town shortly afterwards.

Pictured top: The crowd gathered on the Town Quay, with (inset) Airriana and Jordan among them.