Protestors in Derry take the knew at Black Lives Matter rally earlier this month
And he is also calling for the council to back his motion seeking a review of how the PSNI policed the BLMA rally in Derry.
The civil rights campaigner’s motion will be put before full meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council on Thursday, June 25.
A total of 68 fines were issued at large anti-racism rallies in Derry and Belfast earlier this month.
The majority of fines – 57 – were issued in Derry on Saturday, June 6.
Up to 500 people had attended the rally at Guildhall Square.
Mr McCann’s motion states:
Council condemns the action of the PSNI in disrupting the Black Lives Matter protest in Guildhall Square in Derry on June 6th by issuing fines and threatening court action against organisers and participants. This contrasted with the inaction of the PSNI in face of large gatherings on beaches and in major retail outlets over prior weeks.
Council recognises that the role of the organisers, the North West Migrants’ Forum, in striving to maintain social distancing was exemplary and that many other organisations and institutions in the council area could benefit from studying the disciplined way the NWMF set about arranging the event.
Council rejects the expressed view of Justice Minister Naomi Long that the PSNI action was ‘proportionate.’ Council queries whether Ms. Long’s statement to this effect represents the unanimous view of the Executive. Council regrets that no explanation has been forthcoming of the significant disparity between the level of police action in Belfast and in Derry.
Council notes that Amnesty and the Committee on the Administration of Justice have expressed concern about the way application of the regulations arising from the Covid-19 pandemic were altered on the evening prior to the Black Lives Matter protest, clearly suggesting that the point of the changes was to facilitate the PSNI in taking action against protesters.
Council backs the call for a full review of how policing was conducted at the BLM events. Council supports the demand for a public apology to the BAME Community. Council calls for the withdrawal of all fines and threats of court action against BLM protesters.
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