Readers react to Black Lives Matter protest planned for Edinburgh

Some readers have shared their concerns about the protest posing a risk to public health.

The plan for a Black Lives Matter protest in Edinburgh over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed by an officer in the US, has sparked a mixed reaction among readers.

Activists who have organised the event, which is due to take place in Princes Street gardens on June 7 at 1pm, have stressed the demonstration will be a “peaceful protest” with participants following social distancing rules.

Those wishing to take part have been asked to wear a mask and keep at a two metre distance at all times during the event.

People take part in a Black Lives Matter protest outside the US Embassy in London over the weekend. The protest follows the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, US, this week which has seen a police officer charged with third-degree murder picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

But news of the planned protest has left some readers divided in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Reader Kenny Smith raised concerns about the event going ahead and adding pressure to the Capital’s already stretched emergency services.

He said: “What happened to that man is appalling but why stretch our police in Edinburgh?

“Stop using a man's death as an excuse to get outside and cause our already stretched emergency services further. I'm sure that man would not want that done in his memory.”

Others shared their concerns about how the protest will encourage groups of people to come together which could run the risk of a surge in coronavirus cases and prompt another strict lockdown for the country.

Edinburgh resident Euan Robertson said: “It shouldn't be going ahead as mass gatherings are not allowed yet.

“The organisers should be arrested or fined.

“Do we all want to go back into lockdown?”

Martin John McIntosh Tait acknowledged the anger over Mr Floyd’s death but also reiterated the dangers of coronavirus in a mass gathering.

He said: “I understand that it's bad but we are still dealing with a virus that's still killing people, surely going around in crowds isn't going to help anyone.”

While most readers have reacted negatively to the idea of a “social distant protest” in support of activist group Black Lives Matter, a few showed their support for the event.

Reader Lynn Alannah said she felt disheartened others were choosing to discourage the demonstration.

She said: “These comments make me really sad. This is to show solidarity and you can protest at a distance from others.

“Just because this [racism] isn't visibly happening on your door step doesn't mean racism doesn't exist.

“I understand the concerns about lockdown but I'm sad that people are reacting in this way.”

Daryl Maxwell suggested an alternative way to protesting such as displaying empty chairs rather than encouraging crowds, as shown in demonstrations across Germany where restaurant owners set up empty tables and chairs in the streets reminding authorities that their industry was taking a battering as a result of the pandemic.

George Floyd, 46, was killed in Minneapolis on Monday.

His death has caused an international outrage and protests have spread across the world, with some of them turning violent.

Former officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested and charged with third degree murder and manslaughter following his death.