Protest in Falmouth Kimberley Park after death of George Floyd

It follows events in Minneapolis, USA, when police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of African-American man Mr Floyd, who was handcuffed and lying face down on a city street.

His knee remained there for eight minutes and 46 seconds, despite Floyd’s repeated pleas of “I can’t breathe”. He died in custody.

Photo: Brod Ross

This morning's We Can't Breathe - A Nine Minute Kneel event saw people from across the area gather at distance in Kimberley Park from 10am.

Smaller events also took place at Tuckingmill Valley Park, Mousehole, Penzance and virtually on ZOOM.

Read next: Two men assaulted as fight breaks out during protest over death of George Floyd

Dr Misri Dey, a senior lecturer at Falmouth University in theatre and acting, organised the event with Amanda Walsh and Alex Falconer.

She said: "I am a mixed race second generation woman.

Photo: Brod Ross

"I have a mixed race child who goes to secondary school here in Cornwall.

"I am the Black and Asian Minority Ethnic officer for Camborne Redruth and Hayle Labour Party.

"I aim to work every day in every way for the acceptance of diverse peoples, voices, ideas, actions and simply put, like all of you, will not tolerate murder.

Photo: Jayne Kirkham

"This is an event to join with others nationally, to protest at the brutal killing of George Floyd.

"We will kneel in silence for nine minutes, the time a Minneapolis police officer took to kill George by kneeling on his neck.

"We kneel for him, for his family, and will not accept the systematic murder of black people anywhere, anytime."

Photo: Brod Ross

Anyone attending was asked to wear a face mask and organisers carried out socially distancing measures to protect those there.

From 10am to 10.15am people were shown a place to kneel in the park, before a brief welcome.

Those attending then knelt in silence from 10.30am, for nine minutes.

Photo: Brod Ross

A list of safety measures was also given out, which asked people to travel there in open air - for example walking or cycling, rather than via public transport.

At the protest people were told to adhere to two metre social distancing, wear a mask and refrain from touching anyone.

Read next: Organiser and police respond to social-distancing claims over Falmouth protest

And once at home people were told to put their clothes in the washing machine and shower.

Jayne Kirkham, Cornwall councillor for Falmouth's Smithick division, said: "It was well-organised, peaceful and social distancing was well observed.

"It was moving to see a Falmouth saying so clearly that #BlackLivesMatter."