Black Lives Matter protest in Leeds, 14.7.16, photo by Iain Dalton (Click to enlarge)

Black Lives Matter demo shakes Leeds

The Black Lives Matter movement shook Leeds on Wednesday 14th July when over 1,000 people gathered in the city centre before marching through the central shopping district.

Speakers at the rally could barely be heard in the middle of the crowd, never mind the back.

Organisers were understandably under-prepared for the scale of the protest which was organised at quite short notice and mainly through social media and word of mouth.

Black Lives Matter protest in Leeds, 14.7.16, photo by Iain Dalton (Click to enlarge)

Those attending were clear that just a single token demo wouldn't be enough and there was an enormous thirst for a plan of action from here.

Our explanations to people about the content of our leaflet turned into a public address as people nearby turned to listen, ask questions and collect more information.

Black Lives Matter protest in Leeds, 14.7.16, photo by Iain Dalton (Click to enlarge)

Following such an outstanding first demo the next steps are crucial and must include continuing public action and the need for local organising committees to work out where the most effective place to next take Black Lives Matter is.

Leeds Socialist Party is holding a public meeting on 'The origins of oppression and how we fight it' on 8th August (details below) .

Ian and Monique Slattery, Bradford Socialist Party

Click here for a Socialist Party BLM leaflet

Leeds Socialist Party: The origins of oppression and how we fight it today

Monday 8th August 2016, 7.15pm

West Riding pub, Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 2DE

All welcome

Speakers include:

Michael Johnson (Socialist Party LGBT group convenor)
Amy Cousens (former women's officer, Leeds Beckett students' union)
and a member of Socialist Party Black and Asian group

This version of this article was first posted on the Socialist Party website on 15 July 2016 and may vary slightly from the version subsequently printed in The Socialist.

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