Rhyl Sky Tower and Pavilion Theatre lit up in solidarity with BLM

Rhyl’s sea front clock tower, Sky Tower and Pavilion Theatre were bathed in purple light after Plaid Cymru councillor Paul Penlington asked the party to support the idea.

Denbighshire council’s other political leaders agreed and the authority arranged for the landmarks to remain swathed in the colour for seven days, beginning on Wednesday night.

The Clock Tower in Rhyl

There are more than 3,700 people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME) in the county – around 3.9 percent of the population – and Cllr Penlington wanted to show solidarity with the cause.

He said: “I and my family participated in the BLM protest in Rhyl, and was inspired by the passion and strength of feeling shown by those in attendance.

“We have people from all background and ethnicity here in Denbighshire, and each one is a valuable member of our community.

“As a council and as councillors we represent everybody, therefore it’s only right at a time when this discrimination against some members of our community is highlighted, we make it clear we stand with those discriminated against, and show we value them.”

Plaid’s Leader within the authority, Cllr Rhys Thomas, said each BAME resident of Denbighshire was “contributing to society and enriching our lives”.

He added: “It’s immoral that in the 21st Century people continue to be discriminated against because of their skin colour or ethnicity.

“This needs to change. Change starts with us.

 “Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and respect”.

Rhyl Sky Tower

The Black Lives Matter protests began in the United states after the death of George Floyd while being restrained by the knee of police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis on May 25, for almost nine minutes.

He has been charged with second degree murder and three other officers – Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng – have been charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder.