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George Floyd: Black Lives Matter solidarity as England buildings go purple

Newham Council A building in Newham lit up purpleNewham Council
Newham town hall, buildings and offices were turned purple to remember George Floyd

Buildings across England were bathed in purple light in memory of George Floyd and in solidarity with anti-racism protests around the world.

The illuminations were in tribute to unarmed black security guard Mr Floyd, who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis, US last week.

His death sparked global protests against racism and police brutality through the Black Lives Matter campaign.

On Tuesday night, buildings 4,000 miles away in England were lit purple to symbolise the pain and outrage that has sparked large scale riots in America.

Liverpool City Council Museum of LiverpoolLiverpool City Council
A Museum of Liverpool tweet said: "We stand together in solidarity with everyone fighting racism."

Purple is "the colour which has been become synonymous with the struggle against oppression", said Rokhsana Fiaz, mayor of Newham in London.

"In Newham, which as one of the highest ethnic minority communities in the UK, we stand in solidarity with George Floyd's family and friends, the people of Minneapolis, and everyone who continues to challenge racism, discrimination and inequality," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Aidan Williams Trafford Town HallAidan Williams
Trafford Council leader Andrew Western said "we must all stand together to continue to challenge racism, hatred and bigotry"

Trafford Town Hall in Manchester shone purple on Tuesday night, where council leader Andrew Western called the video of Mr Floyd's arrest "one of the most vile and heartbreaking images I've ever seen".

"Justice must be served for this man and his family, and we must all stand together to continue to challenge racism, hatred and bigotry in all its forms," the LDRS reported.

Brent Council Brent Civic CentreBrent Council
Brent Civic Centre was lit up in solidarity with all those fighting injustice and police brutality, the council said.

Brent Council tweeted: "We stand with black communities in the US, Brent and around the world. Brent Civic Centre was lit up purple yesterday evening in solidarity with all those fighting injustice and police brutality."

The Library of Birmingham was also bathed in purple with the council tweeting: "Racism has no place in Birmingham or anywhere else."

Manchester City Council Wythenshawe Hall lit upManchester City Council
Wythenshawe Hall was lit up to underline Manchester's "proud history of standing up against inequality" the city council said.
Bristol City Council Bristol City HallBristol City Council
In Bristol, city hall was lit up in solidarity with anti-racism protests in the US
Telford & Wrekin Council The Southwater building in TelfordTelford & Wrekin Council
The Southwater building in Telford, Shropshire beamed a statement of unity
Birmingham City Council The Library of BirminghamBirmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council tweeted that racism had no place here or anywhere
Norwich City Council City Hall in NorwichNorwich City Council
City Hall in Norwich was lit in purple to show support for communities in Minneapolis, where George Floyd died
BBC Leeds Civic HallBBC
Leeds Civic Hall was lit up "in solidarity with all those struggling against racism" the council said

By Jennifer Meierhans