George Floyd: Police issue tough-talking statement calling for all rallies to be abandoned as gatherings in three areas are axed

PSNI top brass tonight appeared to have hardened their attitude towards rallies which are due to be held on Saturday in defiance of coronavirus restrictions, warning lawbreakers will face “consequences”.
Just some of the protestors at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday; the small writing on this sign reads "#ACAB" - meaning "all cops are b*****ds"Just some of the protestors at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday; the small writing on this sign reads "#ACAB" - meaning "all cops are b*****ds"
Just some of the protestors at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday; the small writing on this sign reads "#ACAB" - meaning "all cops are b*****ds"

The demonstrations, one taking place in Belfast’s Custom House Square and the other set for Londonderry’s Guildhall Square, are planned for 3pm – and organisers still vowed to press ahead with them despite pleas to abandon the plans.

However, rallies in Omagh, Newry and Portadown are cancelled.

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The demonstrations are to protest against the death of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25.

A gathering at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday afternoon drew up to 2,000 people (according to police estimates), many carrying placards saying “Black lives matter”.

Under the lockdown laws, gatherings of more than six people (except from the same household) are prohibited, and police have the power to disperse people and order them home – with failure to obey being a criminal offence.

The police announced on Thursday that they would take no action over the City Hall demonstration, despite the mass flouting the law.

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Arlene Foster (DUP), Michelle O’Neill (SF), and justice minister Naomi Long (Alliance) have all urged people not to repeat Wednesday’s scenes, and to find “alternative” ways of protesting (with Sinn Fein calling instead for an “online protest” instead).

Adding his voice to these calls today was the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride, who insisted protestors must not “put vulnerable people at risk”.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said on Thursday that they are working with organisers and that “we ask that people continue to work with officers”.

But today his tone appeared to stiffen, and he said: “The best way to resolve this for everybody’s interests is to call off these events.

“Large crowd protests are at this time inappropriate...

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“If people choose to ignore all that and break the law then there will have to be consequences.”

Then this evening ACC Todd said a trio of protests – in Newry, Portadown and Omagh – had been called off.

“Such gatherings are a risk to public health and in breach of the current Health Regulations,” he said.

“I would appeal to anyone thinking about attending them not to – and instead find more responsible and innovative ways to make their voice heard. People need to act responsibly and be aware that protesting like this puts people’s lives at risk.

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“In normal circumstances, we would work with organisers to facilitate peaceful protests – but these are not ordinary times.

“The protests are important and for a worthy cause and we understand the public’s frustration and anger.

“However, protesting against the unnecessary and unjustifiable death of a person in the United States risks the unnecessary and unjustifiable deaths of people in Northern Ireland who could contract the virus as a result.

“There is no allowance within the Regulations to travel in order to attend a protest and to do so is a breach of Regulation 5. Attending mass gatherings is a breach of Regulation 6.

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“It is simply not possible to exercise social distancing effectively when people are gathered together in large numbers. Please consider other ways to protest – perhaps at home or in the virtual or digital space.

“We are engaging with, explaining to and encouraging organisers to cancel and potential protesters not to go to these events.

“However, if this advice – which comes from health professionals, elected representatives and the Chief Medical Officer as well as police – is ignored and people break the law, then there will be consequences.

We will then have to move to the fourth E of enforcement – and that means issuing fines and carrying out follow up investigations if required to put people before the courts.

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“This weekend, there will be a more visible police presence at the events themselves, as well as at bus and train stations and on the roads.

“We all have personal responsibility to do the right thing and protect others in society. Let’s not risk the unnecessary and untimely deaths of loved ones by breaching the Regulations.

“I am hopeful that people will listen to my appeal and that common sense will prevail.”

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