The organiser of a Black Lives Matter protest in Basingstoke has spoken out against racism on the day of the rally.

From 2pm on Thursday, event organiser Tom Hayford will be outside McDonald's in Market Place, as part of a world-wide movement that has seen people line the streets.

Mr Hayford told the Gazette "It's important as far too many people see recent events as solely an American problem, and perhaps don't recognise it as a global issue.

"Racism shows its ugly face in many facets of day to day life. I'm talking about discrimination in work, profiling by the police, just to name a few.

"I'm privileged to not have to live through this myself, but it's important that people of all colours come together in solidarity with everyone around the world."

You can view the Facebook event page here

Protests began last week in America when George Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

In the UK, activists chanted "black lives matter" and "we will not be silent" in Hyde Park in a peaceful demonstration before tensions escalated later outside Downing Street.

Mr Hayford emphasised that this event in Basingstoke is to be a peaceful protest only.

"We want to get the message across but not negatively impact one another, nor the general public, and all attending will be reminded to obey social distancing at all times." he added.

"People of colour continue to be discriminated against, attacked and even killed because of their race, even in this modern - allegedly civilised - society that we live in.

"Black people get funny looks just for walking down the street. It needs to stop, but it won't change until we all come together to stamp it out.

"Simply to say that our political leaders and the general public need to all work together to stamp out racism.

"To say we must call out any countries facilitating a divide amongst races, and watering down acts of racism in the emergency services designed to serve and protect the people."

Another separate BLM protest has also been organised for Friday where people will gather at Eastrop Park from midday.