Protesters place names of prominent black people beside Scottish street names

Black Lives Matters protesters have been renaming Scottish streets after prominent black people and civil rights activists.

Tens of thousands have joined the demonstrations against systemic racism across Britain today, two weeks after African American George Floyd died while being arrested by police in Minneapolis.

In several streets in Glasgow city centre signs with a black background and white font have been stuck alongside the original street names.

Activists replaced tobacco lords and slave trade owners with the names of black activists, slaves and people who have been killed by police officers. 

Cochrane Street – named after Andrew Cochrane, an 18th-century tobacco lord – has been alternatively named ‘Sheku Bayoh Street’.

In several streets in Glasgow city centre signs with a black background and white font have been stuck alongside the original street names. Cochrane Street – named after Andrew Cochrane, an 18th-century tobacco lord – has been alternatively named ‘Sheku Bayoh Street’

Sheku Bayoh (pictured) died in 2015 in police custody in Scotland, aged 32 after he was restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy, Fife. His sister - who is a nurse - said her family would have attended planned demonstrations in Scotland this weekend but the danger of spreading coronavirus is 'still too great'

Sheku Bayoh (pictured) died in 2015 in police custody in Scotland, aged 32 after he was restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy, Fife. His sister – who is a nurse – said her family would have attended planned demonstrations in Scotland this weekend but the danger of spreading coronavirus is ‘still too great’

Sheku Bayoh died in 2015 in police custody in Scotland, aged 32 after he was restrained by officers responding to a call in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

His sister – who is a nurse – said her family would have attended planned demonstrations in Scotland this weekend but the danger of spreading coronavirus is ‘still too great’.

Buchanan Street, named after a slave owner, was renamed George Floyd Street, however the sign has now been removed.

Wilson Street has been renamed Rosa Parks Street – after an American civil rights activist nicknamed the first lady of civil rights.

It comes after Mr Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his knee in Minneapolis on May 25. His death has sparked days of protest around the world. 

Glassford Street in central Glasgow was renamed Fred Hampton Street, after a prominent American civil rights activist who came to prominence in Chicago as chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party - a revolutionary socialist political organisation founded by Marxist college students Bobby Seale and Huey Newton in October 1966 in California

Glassford Street in central Glasgow was renamed Fred Hampton Street, after a prominent American civil rights activist who came to prominence in Chicago as chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party – a revolutionary socialist political organisation founded by Marxist college students Bobby Seale and Huey Newton in October 1966 in California

Mr Hampton (pictured in Chicago's Grant Park in September 1969) was shot and killed in December 1969 at the age of 21 during a predawn raid in his apartment by Cook's County Attorney's Office, the Chicago Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In January 1970 a coroner's court ruled the death was justifiable homicide. Scholars now widely consider his death to have been an assassination

Mr Hampton (pictured in Chicago’s Grant Park in September 1969) was shot and killed in December 1969 at the age of 21 during a predawn raid in his apartment by Cook’s County Attorney’s Office, the Chicago Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In January 1970 a coroner’s court ruled the death was justifiable homicide. Scholars now widely consider his death to have been an assassination 

A black sign with white writing was stuck up next to the street sign depicting Ingram Street in Merchant City. Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist who fought against slavery in the US. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and then made around 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad in the late 1800s

A black sign with white writing was stuck up next to the street sign depicting Ingram Street in Merchant City. Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist who fought against slavery in the US. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and then made around 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad in the late 1800s

Tubman (pictured) was born into slavery around 1820. She was one of nine children born between 1808 and 1832 to enslaved parents in Dorchester County, Maryland. Her mother, Harriet Green, was owned by Mary Pattison Brodess. Her father, Ben Ross, was owned by Anthony Thompson (Thompson and Brodess eventually married)

Tubman (pictured) was born into slavery around 1820. She was one of nine children born between 1808 and 1832 to enslaved parents in Dorchester County, Maryland. Her mother, Harriet Green, was owned by Mary Pattison Brodess. Her father, Ben Ross, was owned by Anthony Thompson (Thompson and Brodess eventually married)

Yesterday defiant Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed a street in front of the White House Black Lives Matter Plaza in response to President Donald Trump’s attitude towards police brutality in the US.

The Glasgow street name changes come after more than 11,500 people have signed a petition to rename streets named after slave owners.

The petitions states: ‘I think it’s important to take these tobacco lords off the pedestal they seemingly stand on and instead recognise other Scottish activists who are deserving of such esteem.’ 

Demonstrators piled into Parliament Square in Westminster today, a day after Priti Patel and Matt Hancock urged them to obey social distancing rules and not gather in groups of more than six.

After hearing speeches and taking part in a minutes silence in Westminster, part of the crowd of around 10,000 to 15,000 broke off to march towards the Home Office calling for justice for victims of the Windrush immigration scandal.

Wilson Street has been renamed Rosa Parks Street - after an American civil rights activist nicknamed the first lady of civil rights. Tens of thousands have joined the demonstrations against systemic racism across Britain today, two weeks after African American George Floyd died while being arrested by police in Minneapolis

Wilson Street has been renamed Rosa Parks Street – after an American civil rights activist nicknamed the first lady of civil rights. Tens of thousands have joined the demonstrations against systemic racism across Britain today, two weeks after African American George Floyd died while being arrested by police in Minneapolis

Ms Parks (pictured) inspired the black community to boycott the Montgomery buses in Alabama for over a year, the first major direct action campaign of the post-war civil rights movement, after she refused to give up her seat to a white person when the white section of a bus was filled

Ms Parks (pictured) inspired the black community to boycott the Montgomery buses in Alabama for over a year, the first major direct action campaign of the post-war civil rights movement, after she refused to give up her seat to a white person when the white section of a bus was filled

Similar protests were seen in Manchester – where 15,00 gathered in Piccadilly Gardens –  Cardiff, Leicester, and Sheffield.

Anthony Joshua joined protesters in Watford, north London, by hobbling along on crutches. He wore a black jumper emblazoned with the words: ‘Black Lives Matter.’

Joshua – a two-time unified heavyweight champion – is wearing a leg brace as a precaution after feeling a ‘twinge’ in it last week, reports suggest.  

Pictures showed huge crowds descending on the capital brandishing signs and chanting.

Buchanan Street, named after a slave owner, was renamed George Floyd Street, however the sign has now been removed. Mr Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his knee in Minneapolis on May 25. His death has sparked days of protest around the world

Buchanan Street, named after a slave owner, was renamed George Floyd Street, however the sign has now been removed. Mr Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his knee in Minneapolis on May 25. His death has sparked days of protest around the world

A police van by a sign alternatively naming Ingram Street Harriet Tubman Street in Glasgow. Activists have put up names of black people and civil rights activists throughout history alongside street names around the Scottish centre as part of the ongoing worldwide demonstrations

A police van by a sign alternatively naming Ingram Street Harriet Tubman Street in Glasgow. Activists have put up names of black people and civil rights activists throughout history alongside street names around the Scottish centre as part of the ongoing worldwide demonstrations

Yesterday defiant Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed a street in front of the White House Black Lives Matter Plaza in response to President Donald Trump's attitude towards police brutality in the US

Yesterday defiant Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed a street in front of the White House Black Lives Matter Plaza in response to President Donald Trump’s attitude towards police brutality in the US

Met Police were seen guarding the cenotaph after it was vandalised during Wednesday’s demonstrations.

One man was arrested in Parliament Square. Pictures showed him sat in handcuffs as two police officers spoke to him.

Banksy shares his support for the Black Lives Matter movement via Instagram 

Banksy has shown his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, saying ‘people of colour are being failed by the system’.

Banksy has shown his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, saying ‘people of colour are being failed by the system’

In an Instagram post, the graffiti artist, who rose to fame for his provocative street art, wrote: ‘At first I thought I should just shut up and listen to black people about this issue.

‘But why would I do that? It’s not their problem, it’s mine.’

He continued: ‘People of colour are being failed by the system. The white system. Like a broken pipe flooding the apartment of the people living downstairs. The faulty system is making their life a misery, but it’s not their job to fix it. They can’t – no-one will let them in the apartment upstairs.

‘This is a white problem. And if white people don’t fix it, someone will have to come upstairs and kick the door in.’

Alongside the post is a painting of a vigil candle burning an American flag.

The Winston Churchill memorial was defaced today as protesters spray painted the word ‘ACAB’ – an anarchist slogan meaning All Cops Are B******* onto the plinth.

Earlier protesters had climbed onto the 12ft high sculpture with placards.

The vandalism comes after similar graffiti was left on war memorials along Whitehall during protests on Wednesday. 

Two police officers are now guarding the famous bronze sculpture, which shows Churchill standing with his hand resting on his walking stick and wearing a military greatcoat.

Priti Patel yesterday said people should not gather in groups larger than six because Covid-19 ‘remains a real threat’.

She wrote on Twitter: ‘Please for the safety of all of us, do not attend large gatherings – including protests – of more than six people this weekend.

‘As Matt Hancock said, coronavirus remains a real threat and people must protect themselves and their families from this horrific disease.’

Her statement echoed that of Health Secretary Matt Hancock who yesterday said he was ‘appalled’ by the death of Mr Floyd, but stressed that the UK was still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remained a ‘real threat’. 

Mr Hancock told the daily Downing Street briefing on Friday he could understand why people were ‘deeply upset’, but said people in the UK should not attend large gatherings.

He added: ‘Like so many I am appalled by the death of George Floyd and I understand why people are deeply upset but we are still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remains a real threat.

‘The reason that it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease.

‘So please, for the safety of your loved ones, do not attend large gatherings including demonstrations of more than six people.’ 

A leading scientist has also warned demonstrators to be ‘very careful’, wear face masks and observe social distancing rules.

Professor John Edmunds, who attends meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) supporting the Government, told Today: ‘I can understand why people would want to protest but on the other hand I think people need to be careful – very careful.

Vast crowds of people packed into Parliament Square, London, today as part of demonstrations following the death of George Floyd last week

Vast crowds of people packed into Parliament Square, London, today as part of demonstrations following the death of George Floyd last week

Vast crowds were seen in Parliament Square with demonstrators - mostly wearing protective face masks - clutching placards

Vast crowds were seen in Parliament Square with demonstrators – mostly wearing protective face masks – clutching placards

Massive crowds of people filled Vauxhall Bridge Road during the Black Lives Matter protest following the death of George Floyd in the US

Massive crowds of people filled Vauxhall Bridge Road during the Black Lives Matter protest following the death of George Floyd in the US 

A man was detained by police officers in Parliament Square today as masses of people took to the streets to protest following the killing of George Floyd

A man was detained by police officers in Parliament Square today as masses of people took to the streets to protest following the killing of George Floyd

Vast crowds of people filled Vauxhall Bridge in London with lines of densely-packed demonstrators extending back for miles

Vast crowds of people filled Vauxhall Bridge in London with lines of densely-packed demonstrators extending back for miles

After hearing speeches and taking part in a minutes silence in Westminster, part of the crowd of around 10,000 to 15,000 broke off to march towards the Home Office calling for justice for victims of the Windrush immigration scandal. Other protesters marched on the US Embassy and there was a separate protest in Watford

After hearing speeches and taking part in a minutes silence in Westminster, part of the crowd of around 10,000 to 15,000 broke off to march towards the Home Office calling for justice for victims of the Windrush immigration scandal. Other protesters marched on the US Embassy and there was a separate protest in Watford 

‘If you think about it, overall the infection rate in the community is about 1 in 600, 1 in 700 maybe, so in large groups of individuals you would expect there to be some individuals in a large group who would be infectious.’

He said people can transmit coronavirus before displaying symptoms, and added: ‘Mask wearing would reduce the risk to some extent from individuals who may be infectious.’

Demonstrators will head to Parliament Square today before going to the US Embassy in the capital tomorrow.

An estimated 4,000 people are expected to attend a demonstration in Bristol, which will include a march through the city to Castle Park on Sunday, Avon and Somerset police said.

Unrest was sparked after the death of African American Floyd who was killed when a white police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. 

Two women clutched signs as they sat in Parliament Square reading: 'Black Lives Matter' and 'No justice, no peace'

Two women clutched signs as they sat in Parliament Square reading: ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘No justice, no peace’

Two police officers were seen arresting a man in Parliament Square during the protests in London this weekend

Two police officers were seen arresting a man in Parliament Square during the protests in London this weekend

Thousands of people descended on the nation's capital brandishing signs and chanting on the second weekend of demonstrations following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US

Thousands of people descended on the nation’s capital brandishing signs and chanting on the second weekend of demonstrations following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US

The protests (in Leicester, pictured) today mark the second weekend of demonstrations sparked by the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US last week

The protests (in Leicester, pictured) today mark the second weekend of demonstrations sparked by the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US last week

A demonstrator clutched a sign reading 'end police brutality' as she attended a demonstration in Parliament Square, London

A demonstrator clutched a sign reading ‘end police brutality’ as she attended a demonstration in Parliament Square, London

Met Police were seen guarding the cenotaph after it was vandalised during Wednesday's demonstrations

Met Police were seen guarding the cenotaph after it was vandalised during Wednesday’s demonstrations

Despite Floyd’s desperate pleas that he ‘can’t  breathe’, white police officer Derek Chauvin continued to press down. Floyd passed out and later died in Minneapolis on May 25.

People got down on one knee for an anti-racism protest in London’s Trafalgar Square this week despite police warning that such mass demonstrations could be viewed as unlawful.

Those who took part in the tribute to Floyd knelt two metres apart in the shadow of Nelson’s Column, wore masks and carried homemade placards which condemned racism and brutality.

But Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said earlier that such protests should not take place under current coronavirus restrictions.

Scientist warns Black Lives Matter protesters to wear face masks and obey social distancing

People attending anti-racism protests planned across the UK this weekend should be ‘very careful’, wear face masks and observe social distancing rules, an infectious diseases expert has said.

Professor John Edmunds, who attends meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) supporting the Government, told Today: ‘I can understand why people would want to protest but on the other hand I think people need to be careful – very careful.

‘If you think about it, overall the infection rate in the community is about 1 in 600, 1 in 700 maybe, so in large groups of individuals you would expect there to be some individuals in a large group who would be infectious.’

He said people can transmit coronavirus before displaying symptoms, and added: ‘Mask wearing would reduce the risk to some extent from individuals who may be infectious.’

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘The health protection regulations are really clear that it is unlawful.’

His warning came after large crowds marched in London and Birmingham this week to protest about the treatment of Floyd, 46.

Video footage shows Floyd gasping that he cannot breathe during the arrest by four officers. They have since been charged over the death which sparked days of protest in the US and Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations across the world.

Clashes have broken out between police and protesters in the US, with officers recorded firing tear gas and rubber bullets on crowds. Some people looted shops.

During the Trafalgar Square demonstration, Dee Ndlovu said: ‘I kneel because of the names and the voices that have been lost to the wind.

‘I kneel for the ones who are not heard and the ones who do not get a hashtag, the ones who do not get pictures or a social media campaign, the ones who have been forgotten in history and time. I kneel because of them.’

Taking a knee is a peaceful gesture to protest against police brutality which was first carried out by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the national anthem at an American Football game in 2016.

The protest came after pockets of protesters clashed with police as thousands of people flooded into central London and abandoned social distancing for a BLM demonstration on Wednesday.

After a largely peaceful demonstration in Hyde Park, during which Star Wars actor John Boyega gave an impassioned speech, tensions later escalated outside Downing Street. There were 13 arrests.

In an open letter to the British people on Friday, US ambassador to the UK Robert Wood Johnson said it was through peaceful protest that injustice was most successfully addressed.

He added: ‘The US Embassy in London is united with the British public in grief over the tragic death of Mr George Floyd, which deserves universal condemnation.

‘We offer our deepest condolences to the Floyd family.

‘His death is a reminder that as a nation we must do more to fight racism and injustice.’

Her warning comes ahead of mass anti-racism protests planned in various locations across the UK following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US. Pictured: Protesters in Parliament Square yesterday

Her warning comes ahead of mass anti-racism protests planned in various locations across the UK following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US. Pictured: Protesters in Parliament Square yesterday

Their warnings come ahead of demonstrations planned in Parliament Square in London on Saturday and the US Embassy in the capital the next day. Pictured: Protesters in Parliament Square yesterday

Their warnings come ahead of demonstrations planned in Parliament Square in London on Saturday and the US Embassy in the capital the next day. Pictured: Protesters in Parliament Square yesterday

An estimated 4,000 people are expected to attend a demonstration in Bristol, which will include a march through the city to Castle Park on Sunday, Avon and Somerset police said. Pictured: Protesters in Parliament Square yesterday

An estimated 4,000 people are expected to attend a demonstration in Bristol, which will include a march through the city to Castle Park on Sunday, Avon and Somerset police said. Pictured: Protesters in Parliament Square yesterday

Anthony Joshua mingles with fellow protesters while Boris Becker marches in a face mask as they join Alexa Chung and Suki Waterhouse for Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the UK

By Ryan Smith for MailOnline

Sportsmen Anthony Joshua and Boris Becker were among the stars who were spotted joining nationwide Black Lives Matter protests on Saturday.

Alexa Chung and Suki Waterhouse also took to their respective Instagram accounts as they joined British-based protesters, following George Floyd’s killing in police custody, which has sparked worldwide demonstrations since late last month.

Ex-police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after a video surfaced of him crushing 46-year-old Floyd’s neck with his knee in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

And heavyweight boxing champ Anthony, 30, was seen in the thick of the crowds as he supported the Black Lives Matter movement in his hometown of Watford.  

Wearing a black hoodie with the movement’s name on the front, the WBA, WBO and IBF world champion joined hundreds of others on the peaceful protest.

At one stage, Joshua, who walked with crutches and wore a leg brace as he recovers from a training injury, addressed those gathered over a microphone.

Protest: British heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua is pictured at a Black Lives Matter protest in Watford on Saturday afternoon following the death of George Floyd in the United States

Protest: British heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua is pictured at a Black Lives Matter protest in Watford on Saturday afternoon following the death of George Floyd in the United States

Mask: Meanwhile, tennis icon Boris, 52, took to Instagram to share images of himself donning a green face mask, along with a black hoodie and cap as he protested in London

Mask: Meanwhile, tennis icon Boris, 52, took to Instagram to share images of himself donning a green face mask, along with a black hoodie and cap as he protested in London

Capturing the moment: He trained his phone's lens on the thronging crowds as he showed them holding Black Lives Matter banners aloft in a show of solidarity

Capturing the moment: He trained his phone’s lens on the thronging crowds as he showed them holding Black Lives Matter banners aloft in a show of solidarity

A spokesperson for the star told Sportsmail that he he is wearing the race as a precautionary measure, after feeling a ‘slight twinge’ in his knee while training.

Ensuring his followers would catch every moment of the demonstration, the star opted to share a livestream on Instagram.

Meanwhile, tennis icon Boris, 52, took to Instagram to share images of himself donning a green face mask, along with a black hoodie and cap as he protested in London.

He trained his phone’s lens on the thronging crowds as he showed them holding Black Lives Matter placards aloft in a show of solidarity.

Meanwhile, Alexa, 36, and Suki, 28, took to their respective Instagram accounts to share their own footage from the London protests.

Among the several images shared by model and actress Suki was a shot of a banner, which read: ‘Use our white privilege to dismantle the system.’

Their participation follows several days of countless celebrities publicly denouncing racism and the thousands of deaths of black people at the hands of the police.

Killed: A private autopsy ordered by the family of George Floyd has found that he was killed by asphyxia due to 'neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain'

Killed: A private autopsy ordered by the family of George Floyd has found that he was killed by asphyxia due to ‘neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain’ 

Share: Suki Waterhouse took to her Instagram account to share footage of the London protest

Share: Suki Waterhouse took to her Instagram account to share footage of the London protest

United: The stars' images showed countless demonstrators united in backing the movement

Speaking out: Celebrities have spoken out against racial injustice in droves over the past several days

United: The stars’ images showed countless demonstrators united in backing the movement

Snap: Alexa Chung was also among the stars who shared footage of themselves at the protests

Snap: Alexa Chung was also among the stars who shared footage of themselves at the protests

Joshua is the latest high profile star to back the BLM movement following the death of African American George Floyd, who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, United States.

Police officer Derek Chauvin has since been charged with second degree murder after a video emerged showing him kneeling on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while he laid on the floor in handcuffs.

His death has sparked a series of sometimes protests across the United States and demonstrations around the world.