Protests in support of Black Lives Matter due to take place over the weekend in Newry, Portadown and Omagh have been cancelled by the organisers.
Police had urged organisers to call them off due to public health risks.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said police have been engaging with the organisers of protest activity across Northern Ireland this weekend.
And he said protesting risks the unnecessary deaths of people in Northern Ireland who could contract the virus as a result.
“I am pleased to say that organisers have now cancelled the protests in Newry, Portadown and Omagh.
“Such gatherings are a risk to public health and in breach of the current health regulations. I would appeal to anyone thinking about attending them not to – and instead find more responsible and innovative ways to make their voice heard. People need to act responsibly and be aware that protesting like this puts people’s lives at risk,” he said.
Wednesday’s Belfast demonstration was one of many taking place in cities around the world, to highlight the death of George Floyd, an African American who died in police custody last week.
“In normal circumstances, we would work with organisers to facilitate peaceful protests – but these are not ordinary times. The protests are important and for a worthy cause and we understand the public’s frustration and anger.
“However, protesting against the unnecessary and unjustifiable death of a person in the United States risks the unnecessary and unjustifiable deaths of people in Northern Ireland who could contract the virus as a result,” added the Assistant Chief Constable.
“There is no allowance within the regulations to travel in order to attend a protest and to do so is a breach of Regulation 5. Attending mass gatherings is a breach of Regulation 6. It is simply not possible to exercise social distancing effectively when people are gathered together in large numbers. Please consider other ways to protest – perhaps at home or in the virtual or digital space,” he said.
He said if this advice – which comes from health professionals, elected representatives and the Chief Medical Officer as well as police – is ignored and people break the law, then there will be consequences.
“We will then have to move to the fourth E of enforcement – and that means issuing fines and carrying out follow up investigations if required to put people before the courts.
“This weekend, there will be a more visible police presence at the events themselves, as well as at bus and train stations and on the roads.
“We all have personal responsibility to do the right thing and protect others in society. Let’s not risk the unnecessary and untimely deaths of loved ones by breaching the Regulations. I am hopeful that people will listen to my appeal and that common sense will prevail,” he added.