People in Wakefield encouraged to take the knee in solidarity with George Floyd protesters

Wakefield Stand Up To Racism have organised the protest this evening in solidarity with protesters in America, who have marched through cities across the country following the killing of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis.

Video showing a police officer kneeling on George Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes before his death has been widely circulated online, reigniting the debate around racism and leading to mass protests across the US.

Organisers said they hoped tonight's protest would be seen as a mark of respect for those protesting in America, but were remaining conscious of social distancing rules.

Laura Miles, who has been a member of the group since it launched more than four years ago, said: "It's part of a national protest called by Stand Up To Racism for 6 o'clock today.

"It's in solidarity with George Floyd and the protests in the United States and around the world.

"But what we don't want is lots of folk to turn up and undermine social distancing. We're only going to take a few of us down there and other people are taking the knee on their own doorsteps or outside.

"We want people to post selfies as well."

Taking the knee, or kneeling, is a symbolic gesture used to protest racial injustice and police brutality in America and around the world.

It was first used by quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the American national anthem in 2016, and has since become a symbol of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Visit the Wakefield Stand Up to Racism page to find out more or submit your own photos.