Black Lives Matter protest in Helsinki draws thousands

Several thousand people gathered in the Finnish capital on Wednesday to protest the recent death of African-American man George Floyd at the hands of police, as well as racism elsewhere.

Helsinki's central Senate Square was flooded with people, some carrying signs that read "Black Lives Matter," which they also chanted, according to images shown by public broadcaster YLE.

Many wore masks as part of hygiene measures due to the coronavirus and listened to short messages protesting police violence, along with calls for justice and freedom, and against racism - also in Finland.

Precautions

Co-organizers Sara Balhass and Andrea Moukoko had urged participants to wear face masks and not attend if presenting Covid-19 symptoms.

Police estimated 3,000 people attended - far above the 500 allowed under certain circumstances in Finland amid virus restrictions. 

Helsinki police said on Twitter that they had spoken to organizers and called for an end to the protest, citing the risk of infection due to the large crowd. The protest was then called off.