#BLM Brighton

We reflect on the ongoing UK Black Lives Matter protests with imagery from #BLMBRIGHTON. Written and shot by Rae Martins, 13/06/20.

While some still claim that there's no need for the UK to join in with the series of global BLM protests and that the UK just isn't racist, they once again prove themselves wrong. Between the Karen and Steve-with-an-English-flag-themed-profile debates on Facebook and the straight-up EDL counter-protests, the covert and overt racists alike still couldn't dull the passion from the thousands of activists up and down the country. The overwhelming amount of non-black attendees itself makes you question how, in this day and age, we could still be protesting this basic human rights issue and still having to encounter people who don't share these same views.

And just to point out, the protests have not led to a spike in COVID cases. The Independent tells us that "A study released by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Black Lives Matter protests ignited by the killing of George Floyd by police had no measurable impact on the spread of Covid-19, and may have actually helped increase social distancing behaviours." Receipts listed in sources.

Our capital city has continued to demonstrate to the world the true ethos of London, standing in racial and cultural unity for BLM and displaying the voice of the people and future political direction of our city - true equality and compassion.

Despite being away from London, I found it to be imperative that I joined in the movement physically where possible. While learning the ~small~ part of black history and Civil Rights Movements taught to us in English schools, I was always left wondering what happened beyond the black and white printed photo; I wanted to understand and capture the true atmosphere so if in the future, the history books are still biased and pushing fake agendas, I can have my own memory and pictorial evidence of the real perception, which can be passed down to future black children trying to navigate a whitewashed world.

Centring back to Brighton, the forward-thinking, Green city and gay capital, it was to no surprise that the turn out reflected their politically-engaged nature. Everyone and their dogs, literally, turned out to show solidarity for the cause; with multiple protests across a span of weeks and two planned in the day photographed, I'm optimistic of Brighton being the saviour for the South Coast. There's no room for racism here, and there never was.