BLACK LIVES MATTER - HYDE PARK, LEEDS, WEST YORKSHIRE

After the successful peaceful Black Voices Matter protest held in Leeds City Centre last week. This week was the turn of Black Lives Matter at Woodhouse Moore, Headingley, Leeds, on the outskirts of the city centre. 

It’s estimated by West Yorkshire Police that around 14,000 people attended the protest in  person and it was such a beautiful thing to witness. It’s also worth noting, not a single arrest was made.  

The protest saw a number of different speakers who spoke with passion to the large crowd. Providing inspirational speeches, rooted in education, and dispelling misinformation that we’ve been told about britain's colonial history. 

A few of the speakers from the event included: 

Arthur France - The Founder of Leeds West Indian Carnival. Spoke of the racial injustice and difficulties of racial divides in communities during the 1960’s within the UK. Talking through some of his own pain and suffering he has seen women working on sugar plantations with young babies back in the caribbean. 

Khadija Ibrahim - A truly inspiring poet and creative leader who performed some spoken word poetry that resonated with the audience.

Rahima Ibrahim - The founder of The Sunday Practice, on the last Sunday of every month in Leeds City Centre. A passionate speech about personal experiences of bullying in everyday life, from primary school, to high school, college, university and to the workplace today. 

Other speakers included; Bishop Perry, BBC's Sanchez Payne, Alex Simmons and many more. 

The event was filled with emotion, you could feel the togetherness in the air. Every person was there for change. A change to a broken system, a change that’s been a long time coming. A community spirit of people of all ages, race, sexual orientation from different parts of Leeds.  

Take a look at some of the pictures captured from this protest below.

Snap you later!

Ajay