Hundreds take the knee in front of Marcus Rashford mural
- 3 years ago
Hundreds of people have taken the knee beside the repaired mural of England footballer Marcus Rashford in a show of support for the striker.
Around 200 people including some with signs reading "Black Lives Matter" made the symbolic gesture beside the recently vandalised artwork in south Manchester.
The mural was defaced within hours of England's loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, in what police are treating as a racist incident.
Artist Akse P19 has since repainted his monochrome depiction of the England player.
Addressing the crowd after they took the knee beside the mural on Tuesday evening, protester Lamin Touray said online racist abuse aimed at Rashford, and his teammates Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho who also missed penalties on Sunday, has "ignited an anti-racist movement" in Manchester.
The players were targeted with racist abuse on social media after the game, escalating a political row about racism in both football and society.
Around 200 people including some with signs reading "Black Lives Matter" made the symbolic gesture beside the recently vandalised artwork in south Manchester.
The mural was defaced within hours of England's loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, in what police are treating as a racist incident.
Artist Akse P19 has since repainted his monochrome depiction of the England player.
Addressing the crowd after they took the knee beside the mural on Tuesday evening, protester Lamin Touray said online racist abuse aimed at Rashford, and his teammates Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho who also missed penalties on Sunday, has "ignited an anti-racist movement" in Manchester.
The players were targeted with racist abuse on social media after the game, escalating a political row about racism in both football and society.