Organisers of Black Lives Matter vigils in Tassie say the events will be safe

Local organisers of a vigil to honour George Floyd and police brutality protesters all over the world have received death threats, despite promising a “safe” event, in line with social distancing.

ORGANISERS have asked the public to “keep the peace” at the Black Lives Matter Hobart event on Saturday, with lead organiser Jamie Blair calling the gathering a vigil, not a protest.

Mr Blair said the Parliament Lawns vigil would honour police brutality protesters and African-American man George Floyd who died at the hands of United States police.

Mr Blair said the gathering would acknowledge violence against black and indigenous communities in Australia.

“It’s a moment for the Tasmanian community to show this is for everyone, this isn’t just a black issue,” Mr Blair said.

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He said attendees would place candles around the sacred space at the Facebook livestreamed vigil.

“It lets people take part while maintaining their distance,” he said.

Black Lives Matter protesters in front of Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, June 5, 2020. The protesters were demonstrating aboriginal deaths in custody and the death of George Floyd in the United States. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) ING

Mr Blair said COVID-19 stage two restrictions typically allowed gatherings of 20, but the Health Department and Tasmania Police were allowing the larger event with extra social distancing measures.

He said it was important to organise an event safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

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He said he was “horrified” one vigil organiser in Launceston received death threats.

“We’re putting faith in the public to keep the peace and asking people not to antagonise the police,” he said.

“I hope we can harness the pain and momentum and get some justice for our people.”

He said he was disappointed Prime Minister Scott Morrison denounced the Australia-wide gatherings.

Mr Morrison said attending was “not a good idea” due to COVID-19.

“Let’s find a better way and another way to express these sentiments, rather than putting your own health at risk,” he said.

“Let’s exercise our liberties responsibly this weekend and encourage people not to attend for those reasons and those reasons only.”

Safety advice and guidelines will be shared through the Black Lives Matter Vigil Facebook event which runs 3.30-8pm today (Sat).