Black Lives Matter Stages Protests Across the U.K. (Multimedia)

The United States’ Black Lives Matter movement has been making headlines for its protests in response to recent police killings, but many Americans don’t realize that the United Kingdom has its own growing Black Lives Matter movement as well.

Five years ago, Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old black man, was shot and killed by police in London. His death prompted widespread riots throughout the U.K. In recognition of the anniversary of his death, BLMUK staged protests in five cities Friday.

In the days leading up to the protests, BLMUK posted a video outlining its reasons for action. Speakers in the video name those killed by police in the past eight months. Many of their statements echo problems of racial injustice in the U.S. “Black people face far more severe sentencing than white people for the same offense,” one man notes.

The video also raises concerns over Britain’s colonialist history. “This movement is for those who die daily trying to find safety fleeing conflict Britain is responsible for,” says another woman. The activists urged protests in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham:

In London on Friday, protesters blocked the freeways to Heathrow Airport. People laid in the streets, chanted and held signs. Many protesters wore “lock boxes,” metal tubes filled with concrete or chains used to link arms together and hinder arrests. “I reckon we’re going to see a lot more protests of this kind,” says reporter Ash Sarkar. Watch the full video below:

Wail Qasim, a journalist and BLMUK spokesman, shared moments from the London protests on Twitter and explained why the protesters were obstructing Heathrow:

We are here because we have no choice. We are here because this is a crisis. #Shutdown #BlackLivesMatter #BLMUK pic.twitter.com/bzIhp4fBHL

— Wail Qasim (@WailQ) August 5, 2016

What does Heathrow have to do with it? Jimmy Mubenga was killed by @G4S while being deported on a British Airways flight #Shutdown #BLMUK

— Wail Qasim (@WailQ) August 5, 2016

According to CNN, 10 people were arrested attempting to block Heathrow. In Manchester, a large group of activists chanted the names of those slain by police:

Princess Parkway Manchester London Arffff #shutdown #blacklivesmatteruk #blmuk pic.twitter.com/TeJczKXDiQ

— Melz. (@MelzDot) August 5, 2016

Police were also present in Birmingham, as protesters marched and chanted “No justice, no peace!” CNN reports that these protesters were attempting to block the Birmingham airport:

Successful blockade Birmingham #Shutdown Black Lives Matter #BLMUK pic.twitter.com/mdcgTFT1MA

— Maya Evans (@MayaAnneEvans) August 5, 2016

Finally, protesters caused traffic delays and blocked public transportation outside the Theatre Royal in Nottingham:

CNN reports that four people were arrested in Nottingham.

The U.K. Black Lives Matter movement is not affiliated with the United States’ movement, although that may change. “At the moment, we’re in conversation about how we might work together in the future,” BLMUK spokesperson Shanice Octavia said.

—Posted by Emma Niles

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