Europe braces for weekend of Black Lives Matter protests

Demonstrations in the US following the death of George Floyd have spread across the Atlantic

Demonstrators wearing protective face masks and face coverings hold placards as they march to the Home Office during a Black Lives Matter protest in London Reuters

European cities are bracing themselves for another wave of protests in solidarity with anti-racism demonstrations in the United States over the death of a black citizen.

After a week of protests in the United States following George Floyd’s killing in police custody on May 25, demonstrations have spread across the Atlantic despite ongoing movement restrictions to stop the spread of Covid-19.

In Paris, protesters defied government orders to protest outside the US Embassy.

Police had banned three gatherings across the city citing the risk that protests could spread coronavirus and fears of public unrest for banning the demonstration.

The decree by authorities emphasised that social distancing regulations ban gatherings of more than 10 people in France. Despite orders, however, calls continued on social media for individuals to gather.

From left, Quacy, Quintan, both 12, Milo, and Quacy Jr, both 16 hold placards as they walk in the rain after attending a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Lafayette Park, near the White House, Washington DC. AFP

A man reacts at a memorial for George Floyd following a day of demonstration in a call for justice for the black American who died while in custody of the Minneapolis police, on June 5, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

A protester participates in a demonstration during a storm in front of Lafayette Park next to the White House, Washington, DC. AFP

Demonstrators attend a Black Lives Matter protest to express solidarity with US protestors in Sydney. AFP

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, second left, takes a knee during in a Black Lives Matter protest on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada. AFP

Protesters take a knee and raise their fists during a 'Black Lives Matter' demonstration in front of the Brooklyn Library and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New York. AFP

Youths kneel with placards reading 'Black Lives Matter' in front of riot police officers blocking the way in Athens during a rally against racism and police brutality and in support to the protests in US. AFP

People hold banners during a Black Lives Matter rally in central Seoul, South Korea. EPA

A man holds a placard in solidarity with thousands of people marching during a Black Lives Matter protest in Brisbane. AP

Protesters wear masks during a rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter demonstration on June 6, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Getty

Aboriginal elders conduct a traditional smoking ceremony at Town Hall during a 'Black Lives Matter' protest on June 6, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Getty

Demonstrators are seen in the rain wearing protective face masks during a Black Lives Matter protest in Verulamium Park, St Albans, Britain, following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, on June 6, 2020. Reuters

People hold placards at a Black Lives Matter protest to express solidarity with US protesters, in Melbourne on June 6, 2020. AFP

Activists hold placards as they attend a rally in support of the 'Black Lives Matter' demonstrations in the US, during a march in the Myeongdong district of central Seoul on June 6, 2020. AFP

Activists hold placards as they attend a rally in support of the 'Black Lives Matter' protests, during a march in the Myeongdong district of central Seoul on June 6, 2020. AFP

A placard reading "black lives matter" is seen in a car during a communal conference of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at a drive-in cinema on the site of the former blast furnace Phoenix West in Dortmund, western Germany, on June 6, 2020 amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The conference aims at preparing the local elections in September. / AFP / Ina FASSBENDER

Protesters chant and hold placards during a 'Black Lives Matter' march on June 6, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Getty

A young child attends the 'Black Lives Matter' march with her family on June 6, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Getty

Protesters gather at a Black Lives Matter rally in Genoa, Italy, on June 6, 2020. EPA

Demonstrators wearing protective face masks attend a Black Lives Matter protest in London's Parliament Square on June 6, 2020, following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. Reuters

At the US Embassy, protesters were met by riot police who turned people away from the building. French security forces sealed off the US diplomatic building behind an imposing ring of metal barriers and road blocks.

In Britain, similarly, the government has reiterated the danger to public health posed by the protests.

“We’re still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remains a real threat," UK Heath Secretary Matt Hancock said on Friday. He reiterated that in Britain gatherings of more than six were banned.

However, on Saturday protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement gathered in their hundreds in central London. The demonstrators carried placards that read “smash racism, jobs and homes for all” and “respect existence or expect resistance”.

Protests were planned in cities across Britain on both Saturday and Sunday.

In Berlin, where police said 15,000 people rallied peacefully on the city's Alexander Square, protesters chanted the name of George Floyd and held up placards with slogans such as "I can't breath."

Despite the peaceful character of the protests on Saturday, police said several store windows were smashed overnight and walls were painted with slogans referring to George Floyd's death.

Demonstrations of solidarity also took place in Sydney, Seoul and Tokyo among other cities and towns worldwide.

In the US protests are also expected to continue nationwide, with gatherings of over 100,000 expected in Washington DC on Saturday.

Demonstrations are planned in New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis where Mr Floyd died.

The four officers seen in video footage of Mr Floyd’s killing have all now been charged over the incident.