Thousands march against Brexit
FEW ARRESTS AS ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMOS PASS OFF PEACEFULLY
MORE than 30,000 campaigners and activists marched through Manchester city centre yesterday afternoon as the Conservatives came to town.
Anti-Brexit campaigners and activists protesting the government’s austerity policies held rallies to coincide with the start of the Tory Party conference.
There was a large police presence in the city centre, although GMP said the events passed off peacefully, with few arrests made.
Protesters vowed to ‘make a huge noise’ ahead of the marches.
Police said more than 30,000 people attended.
Organisers say the figure was closer to 50,000.
Thousands of people congregated in Castlefield Bowl to attend a rally organised by The People’s Assembly Against Austerity.
Speakers from campaign organisations, political parties and trade unions took to the stage.
They included former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, Justice For Grenfell campaigners, NHS workers, Unison members and Labour politicians.
The walkers later set off from Liverpool Road for a march, which passed close by the rear of Manchester Central, where the Conservatives are holding their conference.
Meanwhile, at All Saints Park on Oxford Road, crowds of Stop Brexit protesters cheered as Alastair Campbell blasted out Beethoven’s Ode To Joy on the bagpipes in a quirky show of defiance against the government’s plans to bring Britain out of the EU.
Prominent Remainers Sir Vince Cable, Bonnie Greer and AC Grayling took to the stage to present their case. A grotesque Spitting Image style float bearing the faces of leading Tory politicians was unveiled as a birthday present to the Prime Minister, which led the procession as campaigners rallied through the city centre.
A sea of EU flags flooded the streets as thousands of protesters whistled and cheered to the chant of ‘Stop Brexit Now!’
Both groups later converged on Piccadilly Gardens.
A number of roads in the city centre were closed for several hours to allow the marches to safely go ahead.
Chief Supt John O’Hare praised the ‘overwhelming majority’ for ‘protesting in the spirit of their causes.’
“Their co-operation helped us to minimise disruption to the city and keep everyone safe,” he added.
“The vast majority of people exercised their democratic right to protest and did so in the spirit of their causes.
“No arrests were made during the marches and this is a testament to those who attended and the organisers who took responsibility for the events and worked closely with us to ensure a safe and successful operation.”
The major police operation continued into yesterday evening as officers ensured people got home safely.
Labour councillor and city centre spokesman Pat Karney spoke at the People’s Assembly Against Austerity rally.
Speaking to the M.E.N. after the event, he said: “I thought it was one of the most successful demon-
strations ever in Manchester. People are angry about the Tory soap opera.
“It’s a million miles away from the lives of Mancunians in this city, whose lives have been blighted by the Tories.”
He also praised those who took part in the event, and its organisers, adding: “I spoke at the rally and there was an amazing, united spirit.
“There was a fantastic atmosphere, people were united and working together.”
Two women were later arrested on suspicion of obstructing the highway after protesters gathered on tram lines in St Peter’s Square after the marches had ended.
A man was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.