Gwynedd teenager organises virtual Black Lives Matter protest after demonstration called off due to social distancing

A teenager from Gwynedd has organised a virtual Black Lives Matter protest after a demonstration had to be called off due to social distancing.

The original event was meant to be held in Pwllheli, but unlike other protests against racism in the region, it did not go ahead because of the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Sophia Machnik-Thomas, aged 14, has instead encouraged people to get down on one knee outside their homes at 1pm tomorrow and share a picture on social media.

She said it would allow them to show their opposition to racial prejudice, whilst taking heed of public safety guidance.

The online demonstration has received the backing of North Wales Police and Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts.

The Plaid Cymru MP said: “Thanks to my young constituent Sophia Machnik-Thomas for taking the initiative to organise this ‘stay at home’ protest in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaign.

“It’s right that we all have an opportunity to express our support with the campaign, but do so safely so as to reduce the risk to public health. I hope we can all support Sophia’s statement.”

The South Gwynedd policing team said: “A truly inspirational young lady from Pwllheli is leading a rally in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, via her smart phone from her door step at home.

“14 yr old Sophia is asking that we show support for the true message behind the BLM movement: equality, fairness and compassion, by dropping to one knee outside our own homes at 12 noon tomorrow, Tuesday 9th June 2020, and posting a picture of this onto social media.