Million People March: Protesters gather in Notting Hill for anti-racism demonstration

Dozens of anti-racism protesters have gathered in west London on what would have been the first day of this year's Notting Hill carnival.

Protesters lay down in the road outside Notting Hill tube station to demonstrate against systemic racism.

The campaigners carried signs that read "The UK is not innocent" and "Enough is Enough" as they blocked oncoming traffic.

They are expected to later head towards Hyde Park.

In May it was announced that for the first time in the carnival's 54-year historythat it would be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many have drawn links between the origins of the popular carnival and efforts to speak out against racism.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said in a Twitter post shared a day before the march: "Notting Hill Carnival started as a defiant response to the racist violence Black people were subjected to in the 1950s.

"Today it is an important celebration of Black Caribbean culture and our country's diversity."

However Sir Keir echoed the police's calls for people rto take part in the festival online because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

London Mayor Sadiq Khana also made the plea, tweeting: "if you are thinking of celebrating Notting Hill Carnival outdoors today, please don't. COVID-19 is still a real threat to us all.

"Join in the Carnival spirit from home instead - you don't want to miss out on today's line up. #nhcAtHome"

The organisers behind the annual festival have moved things online, offering three days of music and video online for an alternative virtual carnival.

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