Penarth may not have been the people's first choice for Saturday's Black Lives Matter protest but a small group of women ensured that our little town could still hear the message loud and clear.

Nub News spoke to Lala Taylor, one of the organisers of the local protest, about what inspired her to bring the conversation to Penarth and what they hope the protests across the world will go on to achieve.

Just down the road, 2,000 people turned up in Cardiff to support the protestors in the US as well as highlighting the continuing racial injustices closer to home.

What inspired you to stage a protest in the town of Penarth?

My hometown is Cardiff, and I'm proud to say that it has always been more culturally diverse and culturally accepting than other cities in the UK. I wanted to attend the big Cardiff protest on Saturday, as I knew a lot of friends would be there showing support and solidarity.

I've lived in a number of places around the U.K over the last few years, and I moved back to Penarth a few months ago. I'm happy to live with my best friend next door, Elena Costa.

I am autistic and battle with Fibromyalgia. I am learning to manage my symptoms and flare-ups better. Elena's mother is battling cancer and is immune-compromised. We felt that we were unable to attend the bigger protest events for worry of putting ourselves in danger and our immediate family at risk.

Who organised the protest?

It was myself, Elena Costa and our other close friends who live locally - Martha Richards and Nicola Smalley. Martha battles Endometriosis and Nicky has a heart condition, controlled with an implanted defibrillator.

Were you met with support or resistance from the local community

Statistics show that Cardiff is 84.7% white and Penarth is 93.9% white. We expected more people to be upset, but we were pleasantly surprised. We were prepared that Penarth needed its' feathers ruffled a bit.

We situated ourselves by the Windsor Road and Plassey Street roundabout, the gateway into Penarth town. We quickly had hundreds of people beeping and honking their horns in support, many people raising their fists, clapping and cheering.

Neighbours waved at us from their windows and gardens and cheered on. Three people emerged from their homes opposite with their own signs, whistles and bells.

We then became a little group of 11, getting lots of positive support for about two and a half hours.

Almost everyone was incredibly supportive, bar a few. We didn't mind the disapproval of these people, given what they approve of.

We also had two young girls join us too, Millie and Elouise. Many elderly residents cheered on and showed support also.

How many of you took part?

There were five of us - including Martha's son, baby Severn. It quickly doubled and tripled in size. We all kept to a minimum of 6ft distance at times.

What changes would you like to see coming out of these nationwide, and global protests?

This is about achieving balance, equality. I don't want to represent black/indigenous/people of colour with this answer, on the count of myself being white.

We should ask them, and listen quietly and intently. We should support and lift others up, whilst sitting down from a place of privilege/advantage.

This is isn't a political movement, it's a humanitarian one.

This is the largest civil right movement in human history. Black, indigenous and people of colour are being murdered for the colour of their skin.

Dark skin is not a crime.

We're not talking about polls or voting, we're talking about saving human lives. Society needs to change, and we are part of the problem.

We have to be honest about systemic racism, it's an uncomfortable conversation but we need to change, be better and do better. I want to convey the message that we're stronger together.

A lot of people don't want to be uncomfortable right now, especially in the middle of this pandemic. But it's precisely the reason we need to keep going.

People who don't know much about the issue should search online and educate themselves. Learn about the barriers black people in particular face in order to achieve success, and that no amount of success will protect them from the current negative stereotypes of being black.

A white man with a criminal record has a higher chance of receiving a job offer than a black man with a clean record.

People can start by signing petitions, calling their friends and family out for racist behaviour and non-action, reading and more historical literature, documentaries and donating to anti-racism charities like Black Lives Matter UK, BLAM (Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health) and Black Thrive.

Now isn't the time to be silently non-racist, we must all be bravely, loudly and unapologetically anti-racist. Let's hope we do not have to protest this for much longer.