The British Photographic Assignment 2020: COVID−19, “13/6/20 Newcastle Protests”

Entry by Photographer Meg Jepson

On the 13th June 2020, 2 groups of protestors head to the Monument in Newcastle. The ‘Defenders of Newcastle’ and a Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstration. I was standing in solidarity with the BLM movement which consistently remained positive and in good spirits with music, dancing and chants. I have only attended one protest before this demonstration which was for the same movement and held at the same location in Newcastle just a week prior. Upon arriving at Monument I came into contact with the counter protest which I didn’t know was going ahead. The difference in attitude was apparent. I immediately joined the BLM movement. The counter protestors were heavily drinking throughout the day. Bottles and flares were thrown towards the BLM protestors before the counter-protestors later began targeting police. Riot police were brought in along with police horses and dogs; all of which were targeted. My intention with these photos was simply to raise awareness and document my experience at the demonstration.

The new British Photographic Assignments, open to all British-based photographers and those of British nationality the world over is continuing to accept images until 1^st of January 2021.