Residents of Hinckley held a silent vigil to George Floyd and showed their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
A group of neighbours were moved by his death and the worldwide protests that followed to organise a brief gathering in Argents Mead to show their opposition to racism.
Around 50 people gathered near the bandstand yesterday behind a large Black Lives Matter banner, with many holding their own signs.
Social distancing was maintained throughout the occasion.
They held a silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds at 6pm, the length of time a police officer spent kneeling on George Floyd’s neck during his arrest in Minnesota.
Mollie Saunders, 21, helped organise the event.
She said: “We thought Hinckley should have some sort of support. Awareness is massive.
“Hinckley is not as culturally diverse as most towns. I feel that just because we are mostly white, it doesn’t mean that racism is not a problem.
“It’s everyone’s problem.”
A flipboard showed the names of black victims of police violence as the supporters knelt for the silence.
In attendance were Stuart Bray, leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, and borough and county councillor David Bill.
Cllr Bill said he was there “to show that we are all concerned about equality”.
He said: “In this country, we have policing by consent.
“Police are drawn from the community and they act as members of the community, and that’s why we largely have a peaceful society.
“But in America they seem to have lost that.”
Local minister Pauline Cummins said it was important to show solidarity even with those suffering far away.
She said of the purpose of the event: “I think it’s in solidarity with all those who suffer injustice, and to be seen to be doing something in support.
“Those who don’t have a voice, they are not alone.”
A Black Lives Matter in Hinckley group has been set up on Facebook.
A post on the page after the event said: “Thank you for all your support tonight and creating a memorable and fitting tribute to those who have died at the hands of racial violence.
“Please feel free to invite your friends and family who support #blacklivesmatter and wish to raise awareness, keep informed and help others understand about systemic racism and what we can do.
“Please also feel free to share useful information so we keep the awareness alive and know where to focus our efforts locally.”
The organisers are already planning more events, including showing the film 13th at an open air cinema and doing a peace march around the town.
