[imagesource: Yui Mok/PA via AP]

To be accurate, things are hectic everywhere at the moment.

Around the world, people have gathered in huge numbers to mourn and protest the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers.

The resounding call is for accountability and an end to racially motivated police brutality, not only from US law enforcement, but law enforcement more broadly.

Last Week Tonight’s latest segment is well worth a watch for more insight on that front.

The #BlackLivesMatter movement has gained traction once again, and while most protests are peaceful, some have escalated into violence.

In the UK, reports the BBC, protests were held across the country including in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Leicester, and Sheffield.

In London, protesters knelt for a minute’s silence before chanting “no justice, no peace” and “black lives matter”.

The majority of the day’s protests were peaceful but in the evening there were disturbances outside Downing Street.

Fourteen people were arrested and 14 officers were injured after a smaller group became “angry and intent on violence”, the force added.

Outside Downing Street, mounted police tried to disperse the crowds, with one officer thrown from her horse when she collided with a traffic light.

The chaos in Britain, as captured by Sky News:

The protests went ahead despite officials advising against mass gatherings.

Thousands of people gathered in the capital, the majority donning face coverings and many with gloves.

Some held signs made reference to coronavirus, including one which read: “There is a virus greater than Covid-19 and it’s called racism”.

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, police said they had issued “a significant number” of fines given the dangers of crowds in the pandemic and organisers would now be reported to the Public Prosecution Service with a view to prosecution.

Aerial views show the scale of the demonstrations in the UK:

In Cardiff, protesters held up placards saying “my life matters” and “I can’t breathe”:

Watford, Hertfordshire:

Campaigners in Leicester knelt with their fists in the air:

People left flowers and placards at a mural of George Floyd in Manchester:

Meanwhile, protests have continued to rage throughout America:

This video, posted on June 3, shows the worldwide protests that took place last week, many of which are still ongoing:

In South Africa, protesters gathered outside parliament last Wednesday:

Demonstrators also called attention to police brutality in South Africa, exemplified by the tragic death of Collins Khosa.

For more on police brutality during the national lockdown, Carte Blanche breaks it down.

[source:bbc]