Anti-racism protests continue around the planet

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Almost two weeks after the death of George Floyd, a black man asphyxiated by a white police officer in Minneapolis, the emotion and the pain remain alive around the world. This Sunday, June 7, demonstrations took place from Belgium to South Africa via the United Kingdom, the protesters also denounce racism in their own country.

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In Brussels, the Belgian anti-racist associations organized a static demonstration outside the courthouse. The mayor of the Belgian capital had decided to tolerate this gathering even if a classic demonstration in the form of a parade had been prohibited. The demonstration gathered 10,000 demonstrators who were there for George Floyd and also against police violence in Belgium, reports our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet .

"We are all black"," Racism is a pandemic ", the slogans of the Brussels demonstration against the death of George Floyd and against police violence were taken up by a crowd much larger than expected.

Among the demonstrators, Perpétue, a nurse in Wallonia. “  I can't imagine in 2020 to live things like that. It is not possible, we no longer accept this kind of case. There is injustice that needs to be eradicated from people of color. "

According to Kalvin Soiresse, environmental deputy of Togolese origin, there remains in Belgium a form of racism from the colonial past. "  You may put the dust under your bed, one day you will raise the alarm. This is what is happening in Belgium. And so these mobilizations must make it possible to move the lines and to decolonize this country. "

But for Patchito Olinga who made the trip to Liège, Belgium is doing quite well. “  I am Congolese, so for all Congolese at the base Belgium is a second country. But hey, if I have to be honest, compared to other countries, in Belgium there is still a fairly high awareness of living together. "

The authorities' request to respect social distances could not be respected given the success of this first demonstration organized here for months.

British demand deep change

In the United Kingdom, demonstrations took place in several cities, such as in Bristol and London where the demonstrators gathered in front of the Embassy of the United States before crossing the district of Westminster to join Parliament Square. If they show solidarity with the American movement, they also want to challenge the racism of British society, explains our correspondent in London, Chloé Goudenhooft .

Among the slogans that resounded in the streets of London were of course "Black Lives Matter", "no justice, no peace" or even the last words of George Floyd: " I can't breathe, I can't breathe ”. But if these demonstrations are a way of paying homage to the American, the demands are deeper.

"  We just came here as a human, to protest, for our rights," explains a man in the heart of the parade. Yes, we just want change. We've had enough. It is time to be treated like everyone else.  "

For some, there is no doubt, British society is racist:

"  It goes back to the British colonies," comments a protester. We saw it and it is rooted in our school system, in our work system, in our education, in jobs. In everyday life, black people do not get the opportunities they deserve. Things like that, we see it because we are not respected, we are judged by the color of our skin. Britain is truly racist.  "

What these protesters are waiting for is to make their voices heard and to bring about a profound change in British society.

South Africans also express anger

In South Africa the slogan "  Black Lives Matter  " could also be heard in Johannesburg this Sunday, where ceremonies were organized, despite the coronavirus epidemic, according to our correspondent in Johannesburg, Claire Bargelès.

To avoid too large gatherings, the demonstrators met at different places. Noluvo, an 18-year-old woman, went to the United States consulate.

“  People brought flowers and posters. We are in the process of tabling all of this. We are also victims, in South Africa, of racial discrimination, and I think that the "Black Lives Matter" movement started in the United States sparked a spark among us, and that's why we come together today. today, to express our anger.  "

Some signs also call for justice for Collins Khosa, a black South African who died in the military during the confinement.

Chazya came dressed in her “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt. “  We are witnessing what is happening around the world and here, we also have problems of police violence, with for example the case of Collins Khosa. It cannot continue. 4 years ago, I was already wearing this t-shirt to protest. Four years later, we are still there. It must stop. "

Noor Nieftagodien, history teacher and former activist against apartheid, is delighted to see so many young faces. “  State violence against blacks already existed during the advent of our democracy. We must reflect on the reasons why this violence persists. But when I see all these young people together, I hope that there is an awareness, and that the fight against these questions does not stop there.  "

Other demonstrations are planned for Monday by the radical left party of fighters for economic freedom (EFF).

In a public speech, President Cyril Ramaphosa himself deplored the death of George Floyd and declared his solidarity with the African-American community. He also condemned the violence committed by the police in his own country.

► Read also: Events: the whole world pays tribute to George Floyd

Wave of anti-racism protests spreads

In Thailand where an anti-racist demonstration had been banned, more than 200 people participated in a virtual protest,

In Spain, demonstrations took place in a dozen cities from Barcelona in the north to Valencia on the Mediterranean coast. In Madrid, the protesters also knelt on the ground raising their fists. They then walked peacefully to the iconic Puerta del Sol, in the heart of the capital.

In Germany, players from four Bundesliga clubs knelt on the ground on Sunday in support of anti-racism after Bayern and Dortmund.

Dressed in black, thousands of Swiss people marched to Lausanne, where signs proclaimed "  My color is not a threat  ". In Budapest, more than a thousand people also gathered near the American embassy, ​​observing eight minutes of silence.

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• South Africa
• Belgium
• United States
• Racism
• United Kingdom

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