Portsmouth Black Lives Matter march is set for Saturday

Organisers hope to attract crowds in Guildhall Square on Saturday, the day after the police officer charged with murdering George Floyd in America appears in court.

Performers and speakers will address the crowds, with people attending urged to wear masks and socially distance.

It comes after a peaceful march from the square to Southsea Common took place in June.

Among the organisers is Midia Medina, 27, who said up until the first protest she had been unaware of the level of support in the city.

She said: ‘Prior to the first protest I think a lot of people my age, a lot of us black people, didn't realise how much support there was around Portsmouth.

‘I’ve only been in this country for about eight years, whenever I stayed around Havant and Portsmouth I’ve always been surrounded by white people – I’ve never really had black families or friends.

‘I’ve always been surrounded by white friends and families – it’s really hard to speak about racism and discrimination when you’re surrounded by that very that that makes you feel a certain way.’

Midia, 27, based in Fratton, has endured racism since the age of 11, being called ‘hot chocolate’ by men, having her hair pulled and touched as if she were ‘exotic’ and asked by former friends if they could call her a racist slur.

She said a co-worker has even asked if they could call her another slur. Midia said she was ‘so angry’ after seeing the video of Mr Floyd being killed.

‘In his face I saw mine,’ she said. ‘I saw my nephew’s, I saw my dad.’

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Organisers of the protest want to remind people Mr Floyd’s death was not a bandwagon to be jumped on, she said.

They are hopeful many will attend. Midia said: ‘It’s going to be a real feelgood, supportive getting the community together event.

‘It’s also about sharing people’s experiences that happen around Portsmouth.’

It runs from 12pm to 4pm.

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