200 kneel in silence at Salt Hill Park - remembering George Floyd

The silent kneel lasted for exactly as long as an American policeman is accused of kneeling on the neck of George Floyd - whose death has sparked angry demonstrations across the world.

As it ended one of the three Slough ladies who organised the march - mother of three Latoya Hughes - told the crowd: "Eight minutes is a long time but a knee has been on our necks for longer than that - for 400 years.

"It is time for us to say 'get your knee off our necks'."

The demonstration started at 2pm and saw the 200 or so people who supported it march round the outskirts of Salt Hill Park twice during the afternoon, stopping twice on the edge of Bath Road where passing cars hooted a continuous message of support.

The banners they carried were pointed and potent. Marchers shouted 'George Floyd, say his name' and  'I can't breathe' which turned dramatically into 'we can't breathe'.

At least a dozen people took the opportunity to address the crowd during the afternoon - many relating their own experiences.

One 15-year-old girl described being excluded from school for two days when her decision to 'rap' a poem she was reading to class was taken as disruptive. The experience still left her near to tears.

Another woman wearing a burka described racist taunts within her own family.

But the anger was restricted to the speeches and banners. The march was peaceful and well organised - with demonstrators being repeatedly reminded by Latoya Hughes and fellow organiser Jameen Waldrobe to keep a social distance from people they were not living with.

The minimal police presence was never called into action.

Latoya Hughes hopes it is only the start. She has ambitious plans to set up a business she wants to call Black Roses - which will provide opportunities for young black men and woman.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF @vanwithacamera