Merseyside marks anniversary of George Floyd's murder
Liverpool boxer Tony Bellew's called the murder a 'pivotal moment in the fight for equality'.
Last updated 25th May 2021
Today Merseyside joins the rest of the world in remembering George Floyd, a year after he was murdered by a police officer.
The 46 year old died in Minneapolis after Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes, sparking protests around the world, including here in Liverpool.
Today, people will come together in University Square to take a knee to mark the anniversary.
Boxer Tony Bellew says George Floyd's death was a pivotal moment in the fight for equality :
"In one sense he didn't die in vain because the whole world came together and none more so than in Liverpool, as a place and as people. For me, being mixed race, it hits home even more so.
"It's brilliant seeing equality being taken into consideration now and the racial barriers that it's broken down. It's such a big, pivotal moment.
"We've seen more than ever the importance of standing up and protests - and not all protests have to be violent. They can be peaceful and they are important. They are a massive factor in our city and Scousers are known as people who will not take it lying down.
"This city has been built on strong people and fighting people, people who never back down and people who will never give up".