Letter: Now is not the time for protesting

The message has been clear to stay at home, save lives, protect our NHS, social distance.

Britain as a democratic society allows freedom of speech and allows peaceful protest by Black Lives Matter. We cannot change our colonial or empire past it is what has forged the Britain of today, a multi cultural society.

Have we not as a nation of all colours and faiths stood on our doorsteps for ten weeks clapping our NHS and carers a large majority of whom are from multi cultural backgrounds.

The actions of a minority in vandalising Britain’s history should have been stopped by our police. They are employed to uphold law and order and should not support political protests. Individuals , black or white, should have been arrested and brought before our courts and dealt with equally.

Again did we not celebrate in lockdown VE 75 only weeks ago but now it seems protestors believe Churchill was a racist and the union flag can be burnt on the Cenotaph.

Counter peaceful protest to protect statues ended with the far right rent a mob, stir crazy from lockdown, fighting police and Black Lives Matter protestors.

There should be no discrimination and the full force of the law should be applied to them as well. All the wonderful contributions people have made during the Coronavirus crisis and the 40,000 who have died from all ethnic backgrounds should not now be overshadowed by division in our country.

Greater threats to our economy and employment lie ahead. It is not the time to be protesting and fighting in the streets. All Lives Matter.

Steve Redhead

Werrington