A peaceful protest will take place in Aberystwyth this evening in honour of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.

A Black Lives Matter protest of solidarity will be taking place today, 4 June, in Aberystwyth from 6pm to 7pm on South Beach.

Aberystwyth is following suit after numerous protests were sparked across the US and around the world due to the death of George Floyd on 25 May.

It will be a peaceful sit-down protest according to organisers, to allow people to social distance.

The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA last week has sparked protests across America and in cities across Europe.

Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013 and aims to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.

Rosedona Williams, one of the organisers of the Aberystwyth protest, said: “We have decided to carry out this protest to support the Black Live Matter movement and stand against the systemic racism and police brutality that black people have been experiencing over hundreds of years.

“This will be a peaceful sit-down protest adhering to the social distancing guidelines.

“We will be sat two metres apart from each other and people are also encouraged to wear masks. Because of the current Covid-19 outbreak we have advised people that are at high risk, not to attend, instead they can show their support from home.

“We will take every precaution to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.”

But Rosedona is encouraging those who cannot join the protest to support in other ways: “People can support from home by signing petitions, donating to causes that support black people, showing solidarity on social media, educating yourselves on the systematic racism and police brutality that black people have been experiencing.

“Last but the least, continue to listen.”In a statement this afternoon, Ceredigion County Council called for those attending to maintain social distancing.A spokesperson said: "Ceredigion County Council is aware that a peaceful protest in support of ‘Black Lives Matter’ is being arranged at South Marine Terrace in Aberystwyth this evening."The council fully supports the right to peaceful protest and would ask that all attending ensure that they comply fully with the social distancing requirements in order to safeguard the health of all those present, residents and the wider public during the current Covid-19 pandemic."