British Protesters Throw Slave Trader Statue Into River—And Other Stunning Global Protest Moments

TOPLINE

As protests in the wake of George Floyd’s killing enter their 12th day, stunning images and video have emerged over the past 24 hours from around the world, including a group of U.K. protesters throwing the statue of a slave trader into a river.

KEY FACTS

Big number

Tens of thousands, at least. No official number has been released regarding the crowd sizes at protests this weekend, but massive crowds across the world have been on the move for nearly two weeks.

Key background

George Floyd’s killing first sparked nationwide outrage, as Americans exhausted and demoralized by police brutality, systemic racism, the coronavirus pandemic and mass unemployment took to the streets. Those protests spurred worldwide momentum, as citizens around the world marched in support of the Black Lives Matter and the larger anti-racism movement. Some European countries still grappling with their colonial pasts are working to exorcise and right those previous wrongs. Reports say that within the U.S., a feeling of real change is hanging in the air, but it’s up to elected politicians to pass police reform and other legislation to make progress toward true equality.

Further reading

In Photos: 10 Nights Of American Protest (Forbes)

In Photos: Mourners Pay Respects At Memorial Service For George Floyd (Forbes)

Photos: Thousands March In Wake Of George Floyd’s Death, From Amsterdam To Tokyo (Forbes)

Photos: Street Artists Memorialize George Floyd Worldwide, From Berlin To Syria (Forbes)