UK: Thousands gather for George Floyd protest

Thousands of protesters gathered in central London on Wednesday to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the US, which were sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American, was filmed gasping for air and pleading for breath as Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, kneeled on his neck for around nine minutes.

Floyd was killed by "asphyxiation from sustained pressure," an independent autopsy found Monday.

The British capital saw a protest last Sunday at Trafalgar Square, and more protests are planned for today and in the coming days in the city and across the country.

Protesters shouted “no justice, no peace,” with some holding signs saying “Start protecting all black lives.”

Protests are also planned for Wednesday evening in London’s Brixton and Lewisham districts.

People across the UK have also been asked to “take the knee” – an American gesture to protest racism in the US – at 6 pm (1700GMT) everywhere in solidarity with George Floyd.

The death of Floyd has sparked vast protests and clashes in all 50 US states, and they continue despite curfews introduced by US authorities.