A ‘WHITE Lives Matter’ banner that flew across the Etihad Stadium on Monday night has been condemned by St Helens Borough Council.

The banner, which read ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’, was towed by a plane that circled the stadium during Manchester City’s match with Burnley.

Moments earlier, players and staff took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The stunt has been widely condemned and today, Cllr David Baines, leader of St Helens Borough Council, described it as “grossly offensive”.

Another senior councillor accused the far-right of hijacking the message of Black Lives Matter movement, which has gained worldwide support following the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis.

St Helens Star: George Floyd's death sparked protests around the worldGeorge Floyd's death sparked protests around the world

Speaking at cabinet on Wednesday, Cllr Baines said: “Events in America have brought issues of racism and injustice and in particular the Black Lives Matter to the front of all our minds.

“The fight for equality and social justice matters just as much here in St Helens borough as it does anywhere else.

“Black communities here in the UK disproportionately suffer from inequality, whether it’s in health, housing, or education, and this can’t continue.

“The White Lives Matter banner which flew over the Etihad Stadium on Monday was grossly offensive because it twists and diminishes what is a genuine and necessary call for support from the black community.

“Black Lives Matter doesn’t mean that only black lives matter or that black lives matter more, just that black lives matter. And that the injustice and inequality black people still experience in unacceptable.

“It’s up to all of us to play our part in fighting racism, prejudice and injustice. We’ve got to try to listen, learn and to act.

“As leader, I’m determined that St Helens Borough Council will play its part.”

While the police have confirmed that Monday night’s stunt was not a criminal offence, Burnley FC has vowed to issue lifetime bans to anyone involved.

Burnley’s chief executive Neil Hart also told Sky News the club was working with police to “eradicate” infiltration of some football clubs by the far-right.

On Wednesday, Haydock councillor Martin Bond said the far-right were trying to “divert attention” from the real message of Black Lives Matter, one of “equality of opportunity, dignity, respect and freedom for all”.

Cllr Bond, cabinet member for finance, said: “For the UK, the legacy of the Empire, seen through the eyes of the oppressed and subjugated, is uncomfortable.

St Helens Star: A silent protest took place in Victoria Square earlier this month to support the #BlackLivesMatter movementA silent protest took place in Victoria Square earlier this month to support the #BlackLivesMatter movement

“Collective memory exists in those communities that were suppressed. Such discomfort should not though get in the way of the truth.

“Black Lives Matter doesn’t seek to lessen the value and worth of white lives. It’s about levelling up in the real sense of the phrase, not the lip service that the Tories pay to it.

“When the suffragettes, including my great grandmother from Haydock campaigned for votes for women, they weren’t campaigning to take votes away from men.

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“They weren’t campaigning to downgrade male votes and they weren’t campaigning to place themselves above men in the system. They were campaigning for equal treatment.

“Black Lives Matter is no different. The campaign does not seek to downgrade the inherent dignity of each person in society, it seeks to ensure that we’re all afforded the same dignity, respect, and life chances as everyone else.

“Black Lives Matter to me.”