Police ban counter protests from Sunderland Black Lives Matter vigil planned for Keel Square
and live on Freeview channel 276
Northumbria Police has enforced a Section 14 order on Keel Square which bans any other public assembly, including counter-protests in the interest of public safety.
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Hide AdA tweet posted on the official Northumbria Police Twitter page says: “We'll be in attendance to facilitate a planned Black Lives Matter vigil at Keel Square in Sunderland tonight.
“A Section 14 order is in place forbidding any other public assembly, including counter-protests, to ensure the public's safety.
“Anyone with concerns should ring 101.”
This follows violent scenes in Newcastle earlier in the month when Black Lives Matter protesters clashed with counter-protesters at the Monument in the city.
Police have arrested 19 people in connection with the violence.
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Hide AdSunderland Unites will lead this evening’s event, which will start at 6pm.
The vigil will see people take the knee, a gesture which has become symbolic of the movement.
It will also feature a minute’s silence in remembrance of James Furlong, David Wails and Joe Ritchie-Bennett, who died in a knife attack in a Reading park on Saturday – which is being classed as an act of terrorism.
A Sunderland Unites spokesperson said: “This Black Lives Matters peaceful vigil will be held in solidarity with the movement across the world.
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Hide Ad“Anyone is welcome to come, but they must follow the safety measures, wear a mask and stick to the to metres distance rules.
“We want this to be a safe place for people to come and express their support and we hope in the post-pandemic world for a more equal world.”