• Xahra Saleem denies two counts of fraud over fundraising pages set up before and during protest.
• She is accused of creating a crowdfunding campaign to generate funds for face masks.
• Ms Saleem rejected the charges and was released on bail at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

A Black Lives Matter protest organiser has denied two counts of fraud.

The charges stem from fundraising pages set up before and during a march that drew international attention when an Edward Colston statue was hurled into the city’s harbour.

Xahra Saleem rejected the charges and was released on bond.

The 22-year-old man from Briars Walk in Romford, East London, is scheduled to appear in Bristol Crown Court on January 30.

Ms Saleem is accused of creating a crowdfunding campaign to generate funds for face masks and other equipment in order to lawfully support the march on June 7, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Bristol Magistrate’s Court, an arrangement was reached that any extra monies would be donated to the Bristol-based organisation Changing Your Mindset Ltd.

The page raised tens of thousands of pounds following the demonstration, but the court was told that none of the funds arrived with the charity.

Following the protest, Ms Saleem is alleged to have put up a fundraising page to help pay for the legal fees of individuals facing charges.

Those monies are said to have been withheld once more.

She spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth, and state her not guilty pleas during the hearing.

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