June 13, 2020 5.06 pm This story is over 57 months old

Hundreds march peacefully for Black Lives Matter in Cleethorpes

But there were ‘all lives matter’ troublemakers
Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Hundreds gathered for a Black Lives Matter march in Cleethorpes on Saturday to highlight the problem of racism in Lincolnshire.

The peaceful protest started at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and was organised by a group Black Lives Matter Lincolnshire, who also had support from local war veterans. Earlier in the week online abuse and threats targeted at them made them more determined to protest.

There was also a strong police presence in the town, and officers had to keep away an opposing smaller group which chanted “all lives matter.” Police even had to pepper-spray them to break them up and get them to back off.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Noble said: “I am pleased to share that today’s protest in Cleethorpes was largely peaceful.

“However, a small group of people, not protesting as part of Black Lives Matter, decided to use the protest as an opportunity to behave inappropriately, threatening and assaulting officers.

“Two people have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, they remain in our custody at this time.

“I would like to say thank you to the event organisers as well as the vast majority of those that attended for protesting peacefully.”

Kenneth Scales (Standard-bearer the Royal Navy Corp) was looking after the war memorial in Cleethorpes. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

People gathered for the Black Lives Matters march in Cleethorpes on a sunny day. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Many BLM protesters had face masks and signs. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

People of all ages joined the BLM march in Cleethorpes. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Organisers made sure everyone was socially distanced as possible. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Hundreds marched and shouted for Black Lives Matter in Cleethorpes. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

People marched peacefully along the promenade. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

On the beach they took a knee and raised their signs. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

People knelt down and raised clenched fists in a mark of support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and in remembrance of George Floyd. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Hundreds of people in support of Black Lives Matter on the beach in Cleethorpes. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

People clapped, cheered and shouted Black Lives Matter. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Tensions were brewing as a group of people chanting ‘All Lives Matter’ had to be cordoned off by police. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

The counter-protest group was trying to get close to the peaceful BLM march. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Humberside Police officers had to pepper-spray the group to break them up and get them to back off. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Even though they had to retreat, they kept chanting. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

The two demonstrations were kept apart by police officers. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Meanwhile, some 500 people gathered in Lincoln for a peaceful protest earlier this month and another one is planned for June 20 in the city.