Black Lives Matter: Protesters turn out in Edinburgh

A protest in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement has begun in Edinburgh.

Initial scenes suggest Scots appear keen to keep the protest peaceful and safe – with clear social distancing already in place.

This is in marked contrast to scenes yesterday when thousands of people converged on Parliament Square in London, with no adherence to social distancing rules.

Protesters at Holyrood Park. Picture: JPIMedia | JPIMedia

In Edinburgh, the vast majority of people appear to be wearing face coverings and there is hand sanitiser available.

Earlier today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged the public not to attend the protests planned across Scotland – with a similar event also being held in Glasgow – during the pandemic.

She said: “Right now, mass gatherings risk spreading #COVID19 so please protest in other ways.”

But hundreds of people have come out to gather in Holyrood Park, making their voices heard following the death of African American George Floyd, who died after a white police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck in Minneapolis on May 25.

Protests have sprung up across the world in recent days.

More to follow.