A SILENT peaceful protest in solidarity and support of the Black Lives Matter movement is expected to take place in Victoria Square this Saturday.

People are invited to stand outside St Helens town hall - while adhering to social distancing - on Saturday, June 6 from noon to join others in supporting the movement and to show solidarity with black and minority ethnic communities in the UK.

The demonstration follows others held elsewhere in the country and as a result of ongoing protests across the US following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week.

Floyd died after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.

St Helens Council lit up The Steve Prescott Bridge this week in solidarity with the #BlackOutTuesday campaign to highlight the issue.

St Helens Star:

Nadine and Jenny

Nadine Parker Leighton and Jenny Black, both 26 and from Parr, are behind this weekend's planned protest after feeling compelled to make a stand in their hometown.

They said: "St Helens may be a predominantly white town, but that does not mean we cannot show our support with the Black Lives Matter campaign and make a stand against racism because what happened to George Floyd and others is not acceptable.

"The fight started in the US but there is racism in the UK and we have to stand together to say it is not right and we won't stand for that in St Helens.

"We want to do this in a peaceful way by coming together - while sticking to social distancing - in Victoria Square, with placards saying 'I Can't Breathe' and show our support and contemplate the situation across the world.

"We know many may not feel able to attend, especially with coronavirus at the moment, and that's ok. We'd ask them to please tell others this is happening and write to their MPs.

"We need to stand together."

For more information go to bit.ly/StHsilentprotest

Please note that Jenny and Nadine are urging people to attend by adhering to social distancing and wearing PPE masks.