Thousands take to the streets in Europe against racism

2020-06-14T03:37:59.902Z

Demonstrations and clashes in Europe against racism in the wake of those in America triggered by the killing of George Floyd by the police. In Milan, the statue dedicated to Indro Montanelli, located in the garden of the same name in via Palestro, was smeared with red paint. "Racist, rapist" the writing that was made in black on the basis of the statue that represents the journalist. In recent days the Sentinelli association had asked for its removal with a letter addressed to the mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, on the wave of anti-racist demonstrations that broke out all over the world following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. In London demonstrators took to the streets to defend the 'at risk' monuments. Hundreds of men, mostly whites from across the country, including far-right activists, said they had come to London to protect the symbols of British history, in particular the statue of Winston Churchill and the fallen of the Cenatafio. Just at the Cenotaph the demonstrators overcame the barriers throwing smoke bombs and traffic cones towards the police, who responded with batons. Then they attempted to move to Hyde Park where an anti-racist demonstration was taking place, but were stopped by law enforcement. In Paris, thousands of protesters flocked to the Place de la Republique to protest the police violence, but law enforcement officers prevented the demonstration. Clashes and scuffles arose. The shops in the nearby streets have been closed and the police, according to French media reports, have started throwing tear gas at the demonstrators. In the afternoon, then, the State Council lifted the ban on gatherings of more than 10 people and re-established the right to demonstrate, "as long as within the rules".