Islam Times – UK Police arrested 11 people in Manchester city centre as violence breaks out between far-right protesters and counter-demonstrators.Supporters of the far-right group Britain First met outside Piccadilly station from 12pm ahead of a “march for remigration and mass deportations”, The Daily Mail reported.
Meanwhile, counter-demonstrators, including Resist Britain First and Stand Up To Racism met at Piccadilly Gardens at 11.15am.
Police held the Britain First march back for an hour, with the march setting off just after 1pm, while a 10-hour dispersal order was issued in the city centre.
Ahead of the planned marches, pictures emerged of protesters clashing with police as fights broke out along the routes of the rallies.
Counter protesters were also seen sitting in the road to try in an attempt to stop the Britain First march through the city centre.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed made 11 arrests in relation to public order, breach of peace, assault on an emergency worker, assault and breach of a dispersal notice.
Of those, two were subsequently de-arrested. The other nine remain in custody.
Prior to the protests, Manchester city council leader Bev Craig earlier said Manchester “does not welcome Britain First to our city” and urged people to “send a clear message that hate has no place in our city”.
In a statement, council leader Bev Craig said, “We understand the alarm and distress that comes when a group like Britain First, which is widely regarded as a far-right hate group, chooses to gather in our city.”
“At a time when groups promoting division seek attention, our strength comes from standing united – celebrating our diversity and supporting one another,” Craig added.
“Let’s come together and send a clear message that hate has no place in our city,” Craig said.
A spokesperson for Resist Britain First said, “Britain First’s ‘March for Remigration’ is a racist dogwhistle calling for a white supremacist ethnic cleansing of the United Kingdom by the forced expulsion of non-white people.”
“Britain First’s previous march led to multiple recorded instances of racism, homophobia, and violence by attendees of the march,” the spokesperson added.
“We call on people across the UK to come to Manchester to resist this racism on our streets and show that you do not support this bigotry,” the spokesperson said.
Assistant Chief Constable at Greater Manchester Police Rick Jackson said, “Manchester was expected to be extremely busy today, with multiple planned protests in the city centre as well as several football matches.”
“We put extra officers on duty to support people’s right to protest peacefully while reducing the impact on the wider public,” Jackson added.
“Thanks to the efforts of our officers on the ground and the planning done with our partners, hundreds of people from a range of groups were able to come together safely, with no significant issues reported,” Jackson said.
“Greater Manchester is a place where people can confidently and lawfully express their views, while ensuring that residents, workers, and visitors can go about their day feeling safe,” he added.