SOUTHEND residents, councillors and activists rallied together holding flyers, posters and flags in a bid to help stamp out institutional racism.

The "take the knee" protests, which took place today, saw crowds gather at 12.30pm outside the Civic Centre and 5.30pm at Southend Victoria station.

The day marks the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death in the USA, which sparked uproar across the globe.

Echo:

Alongside campaigners, other recognisable faces who attended the event included Southend Councillors Kay Mitchell, Tricia Cowdrey and Margaret Borton.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Stand Up To Racism helped organise the mass take the knee event in workplaces nationally.

While Unison and the council helped support the move locally.

Echo:

Read more:

Residents evacuated and trains halted as firefighters fight accidental flats blaze

Families and pensioners left in 'dangerous' living conditions as flooding hits housing block

'Take the knee' event in Southend tomorrow on anniversary of George Floyd's death

A spokesman from Southend Council, said: “Southend residents responded and showed solidarity in their thousands last year and continued to show solidarity by supporting weekly take the knee events, circles of peace and the recent International Day of anti-racism in which the town went purple and an over 40-strong public meeting was held online.

“All this in support of the commitment to challenge racism in all its forms.

“These collective events aim to continue to highlight the need for action in Britain in combating institutional racism, an area which the unions and the council have been working together on, and to shine that light and work together in challenging all forms of racism in our workplaces and communities in Southend.”

Echo:

All photos by Gaz de Vere