THE organiser of a Black Lives Matter protest in Derry has called for the fines imposed by police to be cancelled.
The PSNI had confirmed that a total of 68 fines were issued at large anti-racism rallies in Derry and Belfast earlier this month.
The majority of fines – 57 – were issued in Derry on Saturday, June 6.
Up to 500 people had attended the rally at Guildhall Square.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr, director of Programmes at the the North West Migrants Forum which was involved in organising the Black Lives Matter protest in Derry, said she wanted an apology from the PSNI.
She also urged the PSNI to “cancel all the fines” that were issued.
“There is so much hurt and mistrust in my community right now,” she said.
In advance of the organised rallies, the police warned against gatherings of more than six people and indicated they would take action if lockdown rules were breached.
No fines were issued at “protect our statues” demonstrations held across the North of Ireland over the last weekend.
Asked by BBC News NI why so many fines were issued in Derry, a police spokesperson said around 500 people gathered at each protest, contrary to the current Health Protection Regulations.
“We were very clear in our messaging ahead of the protests – that people should not attend them.
“No arrests were made in either city but 71 fines and Community Resolution Notices (CRNs) were handed out for breaches of the Health Protection Regulations.
The spokesperson added: “There is no one specific reason why more were issued in Derry than in Belfast.
“It may be in part due to the dynamic nature of the events which saw a gradual build up in numbers in Guildhall Square and longer interaction with police officers as opposed to Belfast where the gathering built up more quickly.“
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