Stormzy joins Black Lives Matter protest in London

Grime artist pictured with marchers in Parliament Square, says Press Association

Rapper Stormzy joined anti-racism demonstrators during the Black Lives Matter protest in central London on Sunday, according to Press Association.

The grime artist, who has been a vocal opponent of the government, was apparently pictured with marchers in Parliament Square.

He did not speak but listened as protesters spoke about the struggle for equality and the need for solidarity in the wake of the death of George Floyd in the US, the agency reported.

Last year Stormzy claimed Boris Johnson was responsible for emboldening people in the UK with racist views.

“If the top person can openly say this racist thing – the ‘piccaninnies’ remarks, ‘watermelon smiles’, comparing Muslim women to a letter box – if that is our figurehead, the top man, the leader we have to follow, and he openly says these things, he encourages hate among others,” he said.

He also clashed with Michael Gove when the Tory minister appeared to mock the rapper’s lyrics, after Stormzy backed Jeremy Corbyn in the general election.

Madonna and actor John Boyega are among the other celebrities who have joined the protests in London.

Thousands of protesters took part the anti-racism rally which marched from the US embassy in Battersea, south London, to Parliament Square.

Spay paint was used to write the words “is a racist” on the statue of Winston Churchill, while a Black Lives Matter sign was strapped to the figure’s belly.

Meanwhile, London Black Lives Matter organised an online protest via Zoom for those who are unable to attend demonstrations in person.

Additional reporting by Press Association