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A protester stands in front of the US embassy in London on June 7.
A protester stands in front of the US embassy in London on June 7. Frank Augstein/AP

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of London on Sunday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, gathering outside the US embassy in a show of solidarity with George Floyd, who was killed by police officers in Minneapolis in May.

Protesters marching in the capital joined together on Sunday chanting “black lives matter,” with many carrying placards and posters conveying the same message; one protester standing outside the US embassy held a sign which read: “black lives trump your ego, Mr. President.”

In a symbolic tribute to Floyd, who died after police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, demonstrators stood in silence for eight minutes while kneeling.

Others were also seen staging a “die-in” demonstration beside police officers who stood lined outside the embassy building.

“Together, we will let our voices be heard. Enough is Enough. Black people cannot keep suffering,” one protester addressed the crowd.

Meanwhile: Similar demonstrations are taking place across other parts of the UK; in Bristol, video broadcast on UK media shows protesters pulling down a statue of Edward Colston, a 17th century slave trader.

While the UK government has urged citizens not to demonstrate over fears that the protest could lead to the further spread of coronavirus, the protest has seen a significant turnout.

Little social distancing has been observed – owing to the high turnout – but many protesters are wearing masks or face coverings, while organizers say volunteers in high-visibility jackets will be handing out masks and water to demonstrators.

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