Anti-racism activists have taken to the city centre this evening to distribute new street names for those that have ties with the slave trade in Glasgow. 

In an abundance of streets, signs with a black background and white font have popped up below the original plaques. 

In replacing the names of many tobacco lords, slave trade fort owners and plantation owners, the names of black activists, slaves and victims of murder in the hands of police officers have appeared instead.

The name 'Sheku Bayoh Street' has been suggested for the city's Cochrare Street.

Sheku Bayoh died in 2015 with a number of injuries after being restrained by officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife. His family believe that his race played part in his death. 

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Under Buchanan Street's original sign, the name 'George Floyd Street' has been suggested as its replacement.

George Floyd died in the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 25 May as an officer restrained him by pressing onto his neck. 

Since his death last month, thousands of protests have been held as part of the Black Lives Matter movement which is calling for justice, healing, and freedom to black people across the globe.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Calls to rename city centre streets named after slave owners

The name changes come as thousands of signatures have been signed on a local, minister-backed petition calling for the re-naming of city centre streets that have links to the slave trade. 

The change.org petition is asking for streets including Glassford, Ingram and Buchanan Street to be renamed in order to “take these tobacco lords off the pedestal they seemingly stand on and instead recognise other Scottish activists who are deserving of such esteem.”

Jessica Cochrane, who launched the campaign, plans to hand the petition to education secretary John Swinney, Education Scotland and first minister Nicola Sturgeon.