Leeds Civic Hall and Leeds Town Hall to be lit up in purple tonight in memory of George Floyd

Mr Floyd, who was African-American, died last week after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.

His death has prompted public figures and organisations from the worlds of arts and entertainment to take part in a "blackout" on Tuesday, as the US continues to be gripped by unrest.

A joint statement was released by by the leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake and the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Eileen Taylor to confirm the event.

Cllr Blake and Mayor Taylor said that by lighting up the buildings, 'we will continue to make a stand against prejudice in all forms'.

The statement said: “Leeds Civic Hall and Leeds Town Hall will both be lighting up purple tonight in memory of George Floyd.

“We are incredibly proud of how diverse and multicultural our city is and we stand in solidarity with all those across the world who are struggling against racism or any other forms of prejudice.

“By lighting up our buildings we join George Floyd’s family in their sentiment of peaceful protest and will continue to make a stand against prejudice in all its forms.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor