2000 protest in Denmark over the death of black American George Floyd
Around 2000 people have gathered on the streets of Copenhagen to protest against the killing of black American George Floyd by police in the US.
People held up signs saying "Justice for George Floyd", who died in police custody while an officer kneeled on his neck to pin him down. Floyd repeatedly told the officer he couldn't breathe.
Derek Chauvin has been charged with his murder in Minneapolis. The white police officer and the three other officers present have been sacked from their jobs.
Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, Sunday, May 31, 2020. Ida Guldbæk Arentsen / Ritzau Scanpix
The demonstration in Copenhagen started outside the US embassy in Østerbro at 1400 on Saturday and finished at Christianborg.
According to the Copenhagen Police, the demonstration was peaceful. Copenhagen police chief Henrik Svejstrup estimates that the demonstration reached its peak at Christiansborg with around 2000 participants.
Black Lives Matter demonstration at Christiansborg Palace Square in Copenhagen, Sunday, May 31, 2020: Ida Guldbæk Arentsen/Ritzau Scanpix
A spokesman from the US embassy in Denmark told TV2:
“Our Justice Department has made it clear that responsibility for his (George Floyd's) death is being addressed through the legal system, both at the state and federal levels.
"We will always stand by the rights for all people to peacefully demonstrate and to have their voices heard, but we will also oppose anyone who exploits this tragedy to loot, rob, attack and threaten…”
Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, Sunday, May 31, 2020. Ida Guldbæk Arentsen / Ritzau Scanpix
Violent protests began in the United States on Tuesday, the day after Georg Floyd lost his life in Minneapolis police custody. Since then, demonstrations in the US have turned into violence with cars and buildings set alight and riot police using tear gas and rubber bullets.
On Sunday there were also demonstrations in other European capitals such as Berlin and London.
Comments (2)
See Also
People held up signs saying "Justice for George Floyd", who died in police custody while an officer kneeled on his neck to pin him down. Floyd repeatedly told the officer he couldn't breathe.
Derek Chauvin has been charged with his murder in Minneapolis. The white police officer and the three other officers present have been sacked from their jobs.
Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, Sunday, May 31, 2020. Ida Guldbæk Arentsen / Ritzau Scanpix
The demonstration in Copenhagen started outside the US embassy in Østerbro at 1400 on Saturday and finished at Christianborg.
According to the Copenhagen Police, the demonstration was peaceful. Copenhagen police chief Henrik Svejstrup estimates that the demonstration reached its peak at Christiansborg with around 2000 participants.
Black Lives Matter demonstration at Christiansborg Palace Square in Copenhagen, Sunday, May 31, 2020: Ida Guldbæk Arentsen/Ritzau Scanpix
A spokesman from the US embassy in Denmark told TV2:
“Our Justice Department has made it clear that responsibility for his (George Floyd's) death is being addressed through the legal system, both at the state and federal levels.
"We will always stand by the rights for all people to peacefully demonstrate and to have their voices heard, but we will also oppose anyone who exploits this tragedy to loot, rob, attack and threaten…”
Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, Sunday, May 31, 2020. Ida Guldbæk Arentsen / Ritzau Scanpix
Violent protests began in the United States on Tuesday, the day after Georg Floyd lost his life in Minneapolis police custody. Since then, demonstrations in the US have turned into violence with cars and buildings set alight and riot police using tear gas and rubber bullets.
On Sunday there were also demonstrations in other European capitals such as Berlin and London.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.