MORE than 1,000 protesters marched through the city centre to express their outrage over the death of George Floyd while he was pinned to the floor by an American police officer.

Sussex Police officers knelt before the Black Lives Matter protesters, in a symbol of support, after the demonstration reached Brighton Police Station in John Street.

Protester Charita Jones gave a fiery speech outside the force’s headquarters during the two-hour-long demonstration across Brighton.

Addressing the crowd, the majority of whom were wearing face coverings, she said: “I never thought my grandchildren would have to experience this.

“This is 2020 for goodness’ sake.

“I’m so glad that we are peaceful here because when you start looting and doing violent acts, it takes away from the message.

“Let us keep the message clear; black lives matter, all lives matter.”

The protesters held up signs including “Justice for George Floyd”, a US citizen who died while an officer kneeled on his neck to pin him down.

Derek Chauvin, the officer, has been charged with his murder in Minneapolis.

After a peaceful demonstration through the city, starting at St Nicholas Church and heading along the seafront before reaching the police station, officers knelt in support of the cause.

To cheers of the crowd, officers guarding the northern entrance knelt one by one before the protesters after being asked to do so.

A protester told The Argus: “All I want is peace.

“I want equality, for us to be looked upon as equals and that’s all I want.”

The protest then marched past the Royal Pavilion and along London Road, before finishing at The Level.

Once there, some people shared their experiences of racism.

Council leader, Councillor Nancy Platts and convenor of the Green Party, Councillor, Phélim Mac Cafferty, shared their message of support.

They said: “We stand in solidarity with the family, friends and community of George Floyd in Minneapolis. We in the UK cannot ignore yet another death of an unarmed person of colour in police custody.

"As a council, we recognise that George Floyd’s death took place in the context of centuries of social deprivation and economic extraction that have been endured by people of colour.”

The council asks the city to stand or “take the knee” and hold a minute’s silence on 8pm on Friday “in solidarity with people of colour”.