Black Lives Matter event in Fleetwood called off over safety concerns

This Black Lives Matter demonstration in Blackpool's Stanley Park last week was set to be followed by a similar event in Fleetwood tomorrow

A Black Lives Matter rally due to be held in Fleetwood tomorrow has been cancelled because organisers felt public safety could be an issue in view of an angry backlash against it.

The rally, to be staged as a show of solidarity following the death of George Floyd in America, was set to take place at the Marine Gardens, beginning at 1pm.

But main organiser Anita Morgan, an 18 year old student from Fleetwood, has reluctantly cancelled the event, citing concerns over public safety.

She said this morning: "As much as I would love to show our solidarity and support for Black Lives Matter, my main concern has to be public safety.

The Marine Gardens in Fleetwood, shown here during an unrelated event held in a previous year, was due to host a Black Lives Matter demonstration tomorrow

"As a result of the angry reaction from some people on social media towards this event, I felt that I could not guarantee the safety of people taking part.

"If there were to be any problems at the demonstration, it would also totally distract from our message and create the wrong impression.

"I am obviously disappointed that I am not able to support a very good cause by holding this event in my own home town."

Organisers had asked participants to social distance and wear masks.

The planned event was to follow similar protests in Blackpool’s Stanley Park and in Lytham over the past week, which passed peacefully, as well as large events in cities such as London, Manchester and Cardiff.

However, there has also been a backlash in some areas and on social media, with some opponents saying the mass gatherings are breaching Covid-19 guidelines and others stating that the tragic death of Mr Floyd is not relevant to the UK.