PROMINENT Bradford buildings were illuminated purple last night in a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Protests and demonstrations were held across the country yesterday - with more planned today - following the death of George Floyd. 

The Council said: "Last night prominent buildings were again illuminated in our district in memory of George Floyd and in solidarity with everyone fighting racism around the world #BlackLivesMatter."

Mr Floyd, a black man, died on May 25 after a white police officer pressed his knee against his neck while he was handcuffed, ignoring his “I can’t breathe” cries.

Bystander video sparked outrage over Mr Floyd’s death and protests, some violent, that spread across the US and beyond.

Prosecutors in the US filed a tougher charge against the police officer at the centre of the case and charged three other officers.

The most serious charge was filed against Derek Chauvin, who was seen on video pressing his knee to Mr Floyd’s neck and now must defend himself against an accusation of second-degree murder.

The three other officers at the scene – Thomas Lane, J Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao – were charged for the first time with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

All four were fired last week.

A peaceful, socially distanced protest, was held in Bradford's Centenary Square yesterday - read more about it here  - and another is due to be held today from 1pm. 

Many more will be held across the country, but they come as violence in the capital on Saturday left 10 police officers injured and 14 people arrested after the Metropolitan Police said the crowd became “angry and intent on violence”.

Superintendent Jo Edwards said police understood “people’s passion to come and let their voice be heard”, adding that most members of the public protested without incident.

However, Supt Edwards said it was”totally unacceptable” that 23 officers had been injured while policing demonstrations in recent days and a “post-event investigation” would take place.

Police were out in significant numbers for the marches and demonstrations through London, including outside the US Embassy, in protest against police brutality following the death of Mr Floyd.

The London protest was carried out peacefully for much of Saturday afternoon, but disturbances began breaking out at around 6pm.

Scuffles broke out when missiles were thrown at officers wearing protective gear, with mounted police called in to drive some of the demonstrators back along Whitehall.

Video footage appeared to show an officer colliding with a traffic light before their horse ran through a crowd of protesters, sending them scattering.

The Metropolitan Police later confirmed a female officer fell from the horse and had been taken to hospital. Her injuries are not life-threatening.

Photographs showed the officer being treated at the scene as she lay injured on the pavement, while other images showed bikes being thrown at horses.

Officers are also “investigating the full circumstances” of the officer’s fall, but the Met said the horse made its own way back to its stables nearby.

Glass and plastic bottles were thrown towards officers along with flares, while graffiti was daubed on nearby buildings, including the Cabinet Office, and a small “BLM” motif was painted on the Cenotaph.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said violence towards police at protests was “completely unacceptable” and gave officers her “full support in tackling disorderly behaviour”.