Teenager organises Black Lives Matter protest in Gosport

Following a protest in Guildhall Square this month – and a march in Portsmouth tomorrow (Saturday) – a similar event take place in Walpole Park on Sunday.

The event has been organised by 16-year-old Nicholas Nutt and his sister Laura Jones, 24.

Nicholas, from Rowner, says he was inspired to organise the event out of a determination to make a difference.

He said: 'I attended the Portsmouth protest and immediately spoke to my sister about how we should do something here in Gosport.

‘We’ve got around 200 people who have pledged to turn up for a peaceful protest, which is absolutely incredible.

‘I’m really looking forward to getting out there and doing my part in the fight against racism.

The Black Lives Matter movement has been around since 2013, but was sparked into action following the death of George Floyd in America.

One police officer, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with second-degree murder.

Three other officers who were present at the time have also been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

Nicholas says it’s up to the generations today to make that change, and stop judging others on the colour of their skin.

He said: ‘People’s eyes are finally being opened to the suffering being experienced, and young people seem especially keen to eradicate this.

‘We see everything that’s going on, everything on the news, and for us it's the first time we’ve seen anything like it.

‘You see it with your own eyes – how people are being treated because of the colour of their skin – and it makes you question the very core of our society.’

The protest will run from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, and Nicholas is urging anyone who is free to come along.

He says there will ‘always’ be people who disagree – but hopes to change the minds of at least a few people.

‘People have been fighting racism for hundreds of years,’ he said. ‘But today it feels like we are a more united front, and can achieve more than ever before.’

Attendees are asked to comply with social distancing guidelines.

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