Nicola Sturgeon backs Black Lives Matter movement

The First Minister took to Twitter to voice her support for the movement
Nicola Sturgeon has tweeted her support of Black Lives MatterNicola Sturgeon has tweeted her support of Black Lives Matter
Nicola Sturgeon has tweeted her support of Black Lives Matter

Nicola Sturgeon has backed the Black Lives Matter movement.

The First Minister went on twitter to support the movement after recent protests that are taking place all over the world in response to the death of George Floyd, an American black man who was killed by a police officer who knelt on his neck for over eight minutes.

The police officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired and later arrested and charged with third degree murder and manslaughter.

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The tweet from the First Minister referenced a quote from Toni Morrison, the first black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Ms Sturgeon tweeted: "If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem” - the words of the late, great Toni Morrison.

Racism is an evil that none of our societies can claim to be immune from. But we must stand against & eradicate it.”

The protests for George Floyd's death have spread across the world.The protests for George Floyd's death have spread across the world.
The protests for George Floyd's death have spread across the world.

The First Minister added at her press conference that she wanted people to find a way to join in with the protests in a way that is safe as mass gatherings are still against the Covid guidelines.

The George Floyd protests in America have escalated in some cities as scenes of police brutality and rioting are emerging leading to curfew to be put in place.

Donald Trump branded the anti fascist group Antifa as a terrorist organisation who are responsible for the growing violence, despite Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey saying that “White supremacist, members of organised crime, out of state instigators and possibly even foreign actors” were responsible for the escalation of the protest.

The protests have inspired many around the world, with more and more marches taking place to combat racism.

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Protests are planned in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, alongside ‘Take a knee for George Floyd,’ a socially distanced action to take place in Glasgow city centre.

Organisers of the protests say that it will be peaceful, and remind people to wear a mask and stay 2 metres apart at all times.

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