The policing of the large-scale Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the UK in 2020 was institutionally racist.
That’s the conclusion of Britain is Not Innocent, a new report by the Network for Police Monitoring (Netpol).
Based on evidence from over 100 witnesses, Netpol found excessive and unprovoked use of force against, and disproportionate targeting of, black protesters – with baton charges, horse charges, pepper spray and violent arrests.
The police also failed to protect BLM demonstrators or bystanders who were attacked by far right groups, or even to help them when they were injured.