Second Black Lives Matter demonstration goes ahead in Diss to mixed response from motorists
A second Black Lives Matter demonstration went ahead in Diss this week, drawing out more than double the number of protesters than the week before.
Twenty-four people turned out on Saturday to line a section of the A1066 between Diss and Roydon, following a smaller protest that took place at the same location the week prior.
Protesters held up placards reading “White silence equals compliance” and “One love one heart”, while others commemorated the lives of George Floyd, a black American who was killed by police in Minnesota three weeks ago, and Steven Lawrence, a black British teenager who was killed in a racist attack in London in 1993.
Despite the demonstration being largely non-political, one protester sported a shirt bearing explicit language and a reference to current Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Following the first demonstration on June 7, which was mostly well-received by passing motorists, organiser and local Labour Party activist Jane Jennifer said there was more of a mixed reception this week.
“There was much hooting of horns, thumbs up and waving in support – all of which was gratifying, but there was also a fair amount of head shaking and two fingers being stuck up at us as motorists went past,” said Ms Jennifer, from Brewers Green in Roydon.
“When we first arrived, we were hailed by a young man who stopped his car and called to us through his open window and then said how he felt we’d all been duped.”
David Reekie, from Norwich Road in Dickleburgh, attended the demonstration on Saturday, and said it was important for people to band together in opposition of racism.
“It showed that the people of Diss and south Norfolk can rally together to make an important statement about the racism and injustice that people of colour have to suffer in the USA, as well as in this country, and they did this in a thoughtful and peaceful way,” he said.
“The 24 were made up of mainly young people, and it’s their lives and future that demonstrations like these shine a light on, so it was so gratifying to see them there.”
