Black Lives Matter protest placards – a new exhibition on Capital Collections

In early June of this year, Edinburgh, along with other towns, villages and cities across the world, held large protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Museums & Galleries Edinburgh acquired a large donation of placards, banners and signs from the protest, to add to our permanent museum collection and many of these are now available to see in a new exhibition on Capital Collections.

“I don’t want to get political, your ignorance kills real people” – one of the placards collected from the Black Lives Matter protest on 7 June 2020.

The protests held were in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a US police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 25 May 2020. His death was not the only example of police brutality witnessed by the public, but was the catalyst for a collective reckoning in our understanding of systemic racism.

‘You’re beautiful for a black girl’ – one of the placards collected at the Black Lives Matter protest on 7 June 2020.

The protest in Edinburgh was organised as a static demonstration, held in Holyrood Park on Sunday 7th June. Thousands of people attended, and many more who could not attend in person watched along from home via social media. All attendees were encouraged to wear a mask and ensure a safe physical distance between themselves and other attendees. High-profile speakers were invited to address the crowd on the day, to rally support for the movement and generate greater understanding for the wider societal issues.

“I understand that I will never understand. However, I stand!” – one of the placards collected at the Black Lives Matter protest on 7 June 2020.

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh have an extensive collection of protest material relating to social and political causes covering hundreds of years. These Black Lives Matter placards will proudly exist alongside them as part of a permanent record of the city’s history. The Black Lives Matter exhibition on Capital Collections shows some of the placards and signs made for this protest and the stories they represent. They demonstrate the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement to the people of Edinburgh and the wide-ranging impact the movement is having in the city. 

The images in the Black Lives Matter exhibition have all been taken whilst working from home, so image quality will be improved as and when staff are able. 

Please note that the exhibition contains language that some people may find offensive.

For any queries please contact curator Anna MacQuarrie: anna.macquarrie@edinburgh.gov.uk