Rhyl landmarks turn purple to show support for Black Lives Matter Movement

A seaside town has shown its solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement by going purple.

Rhyl’s sea front clock tower, Sky Tower and Pavilion Theatre were bathed in purple light after Plaid Cymru councillor Paul Penlington asked the party to support the idea.

Denbighshire council’s other political leaders agreed and the authority arranged for the landmarks to remain swathed in the colour for seven days, beginning on Wednesday night.

There are more than 3,700 people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME) in the county – around 3.9% of the population – and Cllr Penlington wanted to show solidarity with the cause.

He said: “I and my family participated in the BLM protest in Rhyl, and was inspired by the passion and strength of feeling shown by those in attendance.

“We have people from all background and ethnicity here in Denbighshire, and each one is a valuable member of our community.

“As a council and as councillors we represent everybody, therefore it’s only right at a time when this discrimination against some members of our community is highlighted, we make it clear we stand with those discriminated against, and show we value them.”

Plaid’s Leader within the authority, Cllr Rhys Thomas, said each BAME resident of Denbighshire was “contributing to society and enriching our lives”.

He added: “It’s immoral that in the 21st Century people continue to be discriminated against because of their skin colour or ethnicity.

“This needs to change. Change starts with us.

“Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and respect”.

The Black Lives Matter protests began in the United states after the death of George Floyd while being restrained by the knee of police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis on May 25, for almost nine minutes.

He has been charged with second degree murder and three other officers – Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng – have been charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder.

Protests spread worldwide and supporters began to target icons they believe represent white supremacy.

It even spread to Denbighshire with petitions for statues celebrating Denbigh-born explorer HM Stanley to be pulled down in his home town and in St Asaph, where he spent his childhood in a workhouse before emigrating to the United States.

Councillors stopped short of removing the icons in votes on Wednesday.

St Asaph city council decided to form a working party to give its art work “historial context”, while Denbigh town councillors will decide what to do with HM Stanley’s bronze likeness after consulting with residents.

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter