A BLACK Lives Matter figurehead has called for the statue of Winston Churchill to be taken down as police told protesters they must be off the streets by 5pm today.
Police made the vow amid fears of clashes between anti-racism demonstrators and far-right protesters.
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Several hundred far-right activists are now gathered in central London, with many centred around the Cenotaph.
A large crowd of demonstrators are on Whitehall singing the national anthem. Several were seen wearing military-style hats or jackets.
Imarn Ayton, 29, a figurehead of the movement who has given speeches alongside Star Wars actor John Boyega, has called for Churchill's statue to be removed but urged protesters to stay away today to avoid a "race war".
She told the BBC: "I do I believe these statues should be moved to a museum I think it's a win win for everyone. It no longer offends the black nation, but we get to keep our history and keep those that would like to see that.
"Any statue of people who has spoken negatively towards black people is going to be offensive. Any man."
She pleaded with protesters to stay away today for fear of violent clashes with far-right demonstrators.
She said: "I think everyone is very worried about any type of race war that could occur because that takes away from what we're trying to achieve, which is abolishing institutional racism."
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Police in London have told those planning on joining Black Lives Matter demos they must clear the streets by 5pm today.
The force fear the anti-racism protests - that were sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US last month - could be hijacked by counter-demonstrations by far-right groups.
The 46-year-old African American died after a police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck in Minneapolis on May 25, provoking riots in many US cities and demonstrations across the world.
Black Lives Matter protests must remain north of a police barrier erected on Whitehall, while far-right protesters must stay to the south of the line.
Organisers of one demo planned for Saturday cancelled the event over fears of conflict with far-right protesters, but the Met think thousands of people will still attend.
A "patriotic unity" event has been organised by the Democratic Football Lads Alliance at the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, which was vandalised during Black Lives Matter protests.
Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First, was pictured outside Churchill's statue today.
Violent protesters have been warned they could be jailed within 24 hours after Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Home Secretary Priti Patel drew up plans based on the response to the 2011 London riots.
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On Friday, statues in Parliament Square including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were boarded up to prevent them being targeted by either side.
Last week, the statue of the UK's war-time prime minister memorial was defaced with the words "was a racist".
Former Conservative minister Sir Nicholas Soames condemned the "disgusting" defacing of his grandfather's statue.
He told the Telegraph: "I find it extraordinary that millions and millions of people all over the world who look up to Britain will be astonished that a statue of Churchill and the Cenotaph, our national war memorial, could have been defaced in this disgusting way.
"These people who are marching did not set out to do this, but a very, very small, extremely explosive group of people who have made a practice of hijacking entirely responsible demonstrations are behaving in an unspeakable and cowardly manner.
"It feels like a society that has lost its compass."
Met Commander Bas Javid, brother of former chancellor Sajid, asked people not to come to London while coronavirus rules are still in force.
"If you were planning to come to London, I again would urge you to reconsider, but if you are still intent, please familiarise yourself with what the conditions are," he said.
"Please keep yourself safe by complying with government guidance on social distancing."
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "We are in the grip of an unprecedented national health emergency.
"This severe public health risk forces me to continue to urge people not to attend protests this weekend.
"Gathering in large numbers at this exceptional time is illegal. Doing so puts everyone's lives at risk."
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Boris Johnson yesterday blasted "absurd and shameful" protesters yesterday for threatening to vandalise Winston Churchill's statue again - and insisted our history cannot be erased.
Mr Johnson, who has written a book on Churchill, fiercely defended him - and called him a "hero" who saved Europe from tyranny.
A website called "topple the racists" has compiled a list of around 78 statues and other memorials across the UK it argues should be taken down, because they "celebrate slavery and racism".
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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiSWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZXN1bi5jby51ay9uZXdzLzExODU0MTU1L3Byb3Rlc3QtYmxhY2stbGl2ZXMtbWF0dGVyLWxvbmRvbi_SAU1odHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVzdW4uY28udWsvbmV3cy8xMTg1NDE1NS9wcm90ZXN0LWJsYWNrLWxpdmVzLW1hdHRlci1sb25kb24vYW1wLw?oc=5
2020-06-13 10:30:29Z
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