The organisers of a Black Lives Matter protest in Cleethorpes say online abuse and threats targeted at the group has made them “all the more determined to march and highlight the problem”.
According to the Grimsby Telegraph, a rival group is planning to attend. The organiser of an alternative protest has reportedly encouraged friends to gather at the leisure centre at 12pm on the same date.
There will be a community policing presence during the Black Lives Matter Lincolnshire protest. However, the second protest has yet to be officially confirmed.
The two events have prompted some concerns about safety issues and possible trouble.
Determined to march on
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Black Lives Matter Lincolnshire was made aware of these messages by one of its supporters.
Brian Milne, founder of Black Lives Matter Lincolnshire, told Lincolnshire Reporter that the group has been made aware of messages containing nasty and racist comments aimed at the group.
He claimed there have also been general threats going round on Facebook aimed at residents of Cleethorpes and Grimsby. He has already reported some messages to Humberside Police, who he recently met with about their potential presence at his group’s protest.
Brian said: “We have been told in messages to the Black Lives Matter Lincolnshire page that we are not welcome in Cleethorpes.
“The more people that say this the more I realise there is a problem in the area. This makes us more determined to march and highlight the problem.”
Brian added that the hate spreading on social media has caused a few of the protest’s speakers to back out, but he is still expecting good numbers to attend and is happy to have the support of fellow protestors and local war veterans.
‘Opposing fascism, racism and bigotry’
Black Lives Matter Lincolnshire also re-iterated its stance on social media on Thursday, saying: “We would like to emphasise in response to the news that people are trying to organise a counter protest against us that no part of Saturday’s demonstration is about destroying statues/monuments.
“It would in fact be completely opposed to the entire point of our march, which like the motives of the RAF and other armed forces in World War Two as commemorated by this (war) memorial, is about opposing fascism, racism and bigotry.”
Police presence
Chris Noble, Assistant Chief Constable at Humberside Police, said: “As with the previous event in Hull, we have been working closely with the organisers to make sure it’s a safe environment for everyone.
“At this current time Coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread, which include not gathering outside in groups of more than six people.
“That being said, we recognise the rights of people to express their feelings and we ask that people work with officers at this challenging time. We continue to work with our communities to engage, explain and encourage them to keep them safe and would remind people to observe social distancing to prevent any risk to themselves or others.”
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We have arrested a 34-year-old woman on suspicion of attempted murder following an altercation which has left a man with multiple wounds requiring hospital treatment.
Officers were called to reports that a man had suffered what were described as stab wounds at an address in Kenner Close, Lincoln. The exact cause of the wounds is under investigation.
On arrival, officers found a man in his 60’s with significant injuries to the neck and face area. He received treatment at the scene and is now being treated in hospital. His condition is described as life-threatening.
The call came in at 12.49pm today (Sunday 7 August). Acting on intelligence, officers arrested a suspect eight minutes later. She remains in police custody.
We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, and we would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances and allow officers the time to investigate this thoroughly.
Specially trained investigators, response officers and forensic investigators will remain on the scene for at least the next 24 hours while they carry out initial enquiries.
We would like to appeal to anyone who may have information about the incident to get in touch and help us piece together what has happened. Any piece of information, no matter how big or small, may prove crucial.
If you can help, there are a number of ways to get in touch:
• You can call us on 101 quoting incident number 214 of 7 August.
• You can email: [email protected] adding incident number 214 of 7 August in the subject line.
• If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or you can give information anonymously online
We are investigating following a house fire where a man has sadly died.
Officers were called to the incident in Farrow Road, Spalding, at 1.03am today (7 August) following reports of what was described as an explosion. The property has suffered 100% damage.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services and members of the public who offered assistance, a man in his 50’s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
His next of kin have been informed.
Another man who is thought to have been passing by the property and offered his help suffered burn injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and we are keeping an open mind as experts from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service investigate today. We would encourage people not to speculate while we investigate the cause.
Officers will remain in the area for the next few days carrying out enquiries.
Anyone who saw or heard anything, or captured the incident on doorbell camera or dashcam is asked to contact us. There are a number of ways to get in touch:
You can call us on 101 quoting incident number 43 of 7 August.
You can email: [email protected] incident number 43 of 7 August in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or you can give information anonymously online