FSP protesters clash with Police; 40 arrested

Kumar  Gunaratnum seen being arrested during the protest. He was among the 40 protesters arrested yesterday. 
Pic by Kushan  Pathiraja

By Yohan Perera   

A protest organised by the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) against the murder of George Floyd in the US ended up with some 40 protesters being arrested yesterday.  

They were granted bail later.Among those arrested when the protesters clashed with the police were FSP organising secretary Kumar Gunaratnum, education secretary Pubudu Jagoda and propaganda secretary Duminda Nagamuwa.  Police claimed that the protesters violated the court order issued by the Fort Magistrate’s Court banning the protest.  The protest was to be staged outside the US Embassy in Kollupitiya but the protesters abandoned it following the arrest of Mr. Nagamuwa and nine others. Protesters then decided to change the venue and gathered at the Liptons Circus. They began the protest and were holding placards when the police arrived. “Stop state terrorism in the US, Solidarity with US protesters and Justice for Floyd were some of the slogans written on placards,” said some of the placards.