Senior police officer appeals to Black Lives Matter protestors - do not hold rallies this weekend

Assistant Chief Constable told the BBC Talkback show that on any other day, the PSNI would be facilitating and supporting the peaceful protests over racism and the death of George Floyd in the US.

But he said: “These are not any other days and not ordinary times.

“This is in the middle of a pandemic and therefore my sincere appeal to those people seeking to organise events this weekend is that they should not do so.”

Speaking about the previous rally held outside Belfast City Hall on Wednesday, ACC Todd said it was clear the organisers had been caught by surprise when it came to the size and scale of the event.

The event has drawn criticism because of the lack of social distancing measures and the potential breach of lockdown regulations.

ACC Todd told the show in that case the PSNI had applied a proportionality test in terms of the amount of time it would have to invest in bringing charges against anyone present and decided it would be disproportionate.

Meanwhile one of the organisers of the planned protest in Belfast tomorrow said those behind the event were “doing all in their power” to ensure social-distancing measures will be upheld.

Ivanka Antova from the United Against Racism Belfast group told Talkback: “How can we make sure we can keep people safe not only during a coronavirus pandemic, but also during the pandemic of racism which is killing people?

“It’s been with us for generations and unless we stand up, it will be with us for generations to come.”