VIDEO & PICTURES: Peaceful Black Lives Matter event held in Sidmouth

Around 200 people took to one knee on Sidmouth Seafront in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign yesterday.

Sidmouth residents responded to the Black Lives Matter campaign with a silent, peaceable event supporting the Black Lives Matter movement to raise public awareness in the local community. The event took place yesterday (Saturday, June 20) along Sidmouth seafront.

Paul Ryder, one of the organisers said: "The death of George Floyd and the events that followed sparked reaction around the world. Through conversations in local social media groups, a group of Sidmouth residents decided they wanted take positive action to hold an event and raise awareness to the subject of racism."

Marianne Murphy, who started the group said: "We were mindful of the current Covid 19 restrictions, and we asked those attending to wear masks, be socially distanced, silent and kept our distance from the public. "

Paul added: "Our aim is to show solidarity with the BLM movement, bearing witness, learning, raising awareness and challenging racism. We want to raise awareness in a peaceful way. It's not party political."

The Sidmouth BLM group has already attracted over a hundred members of all ages from the local community who share thought, exchange ideas and learn from one another. They hope that group will continue to grow and that they can over time have a really positive impact on the wider Sidmouth community.