Corby to host Black Lives Matter protest this weekend

"It's not just a problem in America."
The Black Lives Matter protest in Kettering last week.The Black Lives Matter protest in Kettering last week.
The Black Lives Matter protest in Kettering last week.

It's Corby's turn to host a Black Lives Matter protest this weekend to tackle and raise awareness of racism.

Hundreds are expected to fill James Ashworth VC Square in the town centre for the socially-distanced event, which starts at 1pm on Saturday (June 20).

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Local people will be speaking about their experiences of racism with poems, music and speeches before an eight-minute kneel at the end of the event, which is expected to last about an hour-and-a-half.

One of the organisers, 22-year-old Morrisons worker Jack Jenkins, said: "There is a lot of racism in Corby, whether it's direct racism or not really thought about in a jokey way.

"A lot of it is undercover racism but there have been incidents where people have been abused for the colour of their skin here.

"It's not just a problem in America."

They are working with the organisers of last week's successful Kettering protest, which saw more than 500 people turn up, as well as police and Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council.

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Successful peaceful protests have also taken place in Wellingborough and Northampton in recent weeks after the death of George Floyd in America, who died after a police officer restrained him with his knee.

It's been planned for this weekend for a bigger impact after non-essential shops re-opened.

Chalk markings will be on the ground to help people keep their distance because of the Covid pandemic.

People are encouraged to bring their own masks and sanitiser but there will be spares given out to those who need them.