Staffordshire’s Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime commissioner has asked people attending local rallies to make them peaceful and dignified, while still conveying a powerful message following the tragic death in the United States of George Floyd.
Matthew Ellis said the footage from the US was grotesque.
‘I defy anyone not to be moved beyond outrage by what we saw happening in Minneapolis and it’s right that we express our feelings at the inhumanity it demonstrated. The UK has a powerful track record of demonstrating publicly. The cause of genuine equality and an end to discrimination of any sort couldn’t be more important.
‘The message of the need for continued change here and globally must be the story and I urge everyone who wants to be involved to be peaceful, but with a powerful voice.”
Mr Ellis also made a plea for social distancing rules to be followed in all marches and demonstrations.
‘The cause being demonstrated must take centre stage, so I respectfully ask that everyone involved takes care of themselves and of others by following the social distancing that will help protect people from Covid-19 infection.’
