UK PM Johnson says Britain's anti-racism demonstrations 'hijacked by extremists'

United Kingdom Prime Minister on June 12 took to Twitter to warn that anti-racism protests in country had been ‘hijacked by extremists’ who were attacking national monuments in an effort to ‘censor’ past. Boris Johnson’s statement comes after a famous statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was defaced last weekend amid ‘Black Lives Matter’ demonstrations sparked by George Floyd’s death.

While calling incident 'absurd and shameful’, Johnson said that state is a reminder of achievement in saving country from fascist and racist tyranny. In a series of tweets, UK PM also called Churchill a ‘hero’ and said that he fully ‘deserves his memorial’. On hand, demonstrators blame former PM for policies that led to death of millions during famine in Indian state of Bengal in 1943. 

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UK PM understands ’outr’ 

Johnson also said that w one can t try to edit or censor history. He added that statues and monuments in cities and towns were put by previous generations and to tore m down would be to lie about country’s history and impoverish education for generations to come. While he also said that he completely understands legitimate feelings of outr and desire to protest against discrimination, he also added that he ‘recognises’ that re is much more work to do to fight racism.  

Floyd’s death triggered demonstrations, t just in United States, but protests took place in London, Cardiff, Manchester and ttingham as well. demonstrators in Britain reportedly said that y wanted to shine a spotlight on impact of institutional racism in UK. However, with demonstrations turning violent and protesters vandalising states, Johnson said that he will t support those who break law and attack police. Meanwhile, protests in UK also follow recent high-profile stop and search in capital amid COVID-19 lockdown. 

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READ: Statues Boarded Up In London Ahead Of Anti-racism Protests