Black Lives Matter Leeds: Thousands gather for peaceful demonstration at Millennium Square

The demonstration, organised by Black Voices Matter, took place on Millennium Square at 2.30pm.

It was the first organised anti-racism protest in Leeds since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA, who died after a police officer restrained him by kneeling on his neck.

Phone footage showed him gasping that he could not breathe during the arrest by four officers.

They have since been charged over the death, which has sparked days of protest in the US and across the world.

Black Voices Matter organised the Leeds protest to "stand in solidarity against systemic and institutional racism embedded in our society and police brutality and injustice inflicted against black people".

The protest went ahead despite police and Government guidance warning people to stay away from large gatherings.

Protesters were urged to maintain a social distance and face masks and gloves were made available, but a large crowd packed in to hear organisers leading the demonstration from outside the Civic Hall.

A group of counter-protesters, claiming to represent the 'All Lives Matter movement', gathered by the cenotaph outside Leeds Art Gallery and were contained there by police.

As the number of protesters in Millennium Square grew, police blocked access to the area and were directing protesters away from the cenotaph.

The Black Lives Matter demonstration remained peaceful and poetry, music and personal testimonies were shared with protesters, before the crowd dispersed shortly after 4pm.

Gordon Adams, 54, attended the protest with his wife and two young daughters, aged four and two.

He said: "It's a fight for justice and equality. The atmosphere has been outstanding, it's very encouraging.

"It's great to see the whole of Leeds represented, it represents a broad spectrum of people from all over the place. It's heartwarming.

"I've got a twin brother and we talked about going on similar walks and marches almost 40 years ago. Some of the differences right now are the number of people and the diversity that's here as well."

Jai Jallow, a 21-year-old criminology graduate from Kirkstall, said she was encouraged to see such a large crowd of people turn out to show their support.

Jai, who was attending the protest with her housemate, said: "I think it's a really personal cause, we're both mixed-race girls and we've grown up in this city. We've seen racism, but we've also seen a lot of support.

"The atmosphere is buzzing, everyone seems really excited and it's really positive vibes. Everyone is happy and look like they want to be here.

"I'm excited to hear what everyone's got to say, I'm excited to hear cheering, a bit of support and rallying. It's nice to get the city together for something other than football!"

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