POLICE ON ALERT AS CROWDS GATHER IN CLEETHORPES FOR ANTI-RACISM DEMO

                                                        

Spelling out the message - these demonstrators made sure to wear masks

CRIES  of "we want change" and "black lives matter" rang out on Cleethorpes Promenade mid afternoon today.

Some 300-plus placard-wielding demonstrators - mostly aged under 30 and white - were keen to proclaim their hostility to racism in all its forms.

After gathering adjacent to the leisure centre, they marched part way along the prom, thence down to the beach for speeches and one-knee  gesturing.

There was a huge police presence - well over 100 - to ensure they were not able to access the Memorial Gate at the top of Sea View Street for fear this might become the flashpoint  for clashes with white supremacy extremist groups.

Despite some robust football crowd type jeering and abuse from a smaller group - probably fewer than 150 - there was no significantly-orchestrated counter-rally.

One surprise was to see two ex-servicemen posing with those shouting abuse at the demonstrators

Later, there were reports of some troublemakers seeking to throw sand in the faces of police.

Occasionally police pulled out lager-swilling hotheads  whose language was proving  particularly obscene or offensive, but there not thought to have been any arrests - at least before 4pm.

All the while, the scene was being surveyed on video by overhead drones and a helicopter.

Because of the warm, sunny weather, the resort was busy anyway, but, with many (but not all) shops, pubs, clubs and cafes still closed, the demonstration provided an alternative gathering point and spectacle.

It is not known if any North East Lincolnshire councillors - or if Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers - were present, but former Grimsby MP Melanie Onn was spotted among the demonstrators.

Current Grimsby MP Lia Nici was absent - she had earlier urged people to stay away because of the infection risks associated with the pandemic,

Social distancing? Forget it - although many wore masks, the guidelines have now either been forgotten or they are being ignored.

                                                

They shall not pass - police made sure the demonstrators did not reach the Memorial Gate

Below: more scenes from today's demo