Hundreds join Black Lives Matter protest in Wolverhampton

The group met at 3pm at St Peter's Square today before marching through the city, taking a knee and listening to speakers outside the Civic Hall.

Jada Kiss, who was organising public relations for the event, said: "We've had a turn out of around 200 or 250 people, which is good considering it has rained.

"There's a lot of positivity in the air.

"The energy is really high and everybody is really positive."

Ms Kiss added: "It is important because these voices and opinions have not been expressed before.

"Obviously we get bad mouthed in a certain way, but these events show we can come out for a positive cause.

"This protest symbolises leadership, we lead by example and equip the future generations with the knowledge and understanding to enable the change of the future outcome of the black race."

Organiser Rachel Davies said of the protest: "To stop the black oppression and to be treated as human beings by others, fighting against deprivation, systematic racism and stereotypes.

"In turn to unitedly encourage economic growth within our communities unitedly for a better future for our children."

Campaigner Charlie Williams spoke at the event.

He said: "We march not only for George Floyd but for our own 1,744 deaths in UK police custody since 1990 and not one police conviction.

"We march for the thousands of disproportionate black deaths of Covid-19 and the ongoing injustice of the Windrush generation."