Two arrests were made but police said the protests ‘passed by peacefully and safely’
Police lines in St Peter’s Square(Image: Kenny Brown/MEN)
Rival protesters faced off in often tense scenes in Manchester city centre today (Saturday). However, police – who kept the groups apart – said the events attended by more than a thousand people had passed ‘peacefully and safely.’
The far-right political party Britain First organised a ‘march for remigration’ through the city centre.
They were met by two groups of counter-protesters, before a rival rally was held just a few hundred yards away from them.
The Britain First march began outside Piccadilly station shortly before 1pm.
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Attendees, many of whom had arrived in the city by train, gathered underneath a railway arch on Wyre Street, facing the station taxi rank.
The name of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson was chanted, and smoke bombs were let off before the march got underway.
Far right protestors and counter protestors demonstrating in manchester city centre
Eyewitnesses said a small group of counter-demonstrators at one point tried to block their exit route.
They were moved onto the opposite side of the A6 London Road and were contained there by officers as the march began.
The noisy march – a sea of union and St George’s flags – was flanked by officers and a convoy of police vans behind it as it made its way up London Road and then Piccadilly.
A demonstrator in St Peter’s Square(Image: Kenny Brown/MEN)
The main group of counter-protesters gathered in Piccadilly Gardens, and the first tense moment came as the far-right march turned down Portland Street.
The counter-protesters moved to try and confront them but were contained within Piccadilly Gardens by a line of police and mounted officers.
There were abusive chants towards the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and chants of ‘send them back’ as the Britain First march continued down Portland Street and Princess Street into St Peter’s Square.
Once the march had passed, the counter-protesters began a march of their own. They were flanked by police with mounted officers walking in front as they were led down Mosley Street.
The Britain First march making its way into St Peter’s Square(Image: Kenny Brown/MEN)
They were held there until the Britain First march had been led into a dedicated, fenced-off area underneath Manchester Central Library, where a large screen and stage had been erected by the group.
The counter-protesters were then led into an area directly opposite, on the Oxford Street side of the square, which was also surrounded by metal fencing.
Drums and musical instruments were played and placards read ‘No to racism’ and ‘Stand up to the far right.’
There were chants of ‘whose streets? Our streets, ‘Nazi scum off our streets’ and ‘Manchester is anti-fascist.’
Around 400 people attended the counter-demo (Image: Kenny Brown / Manchester Evening News)
It was estimated that at their peak, there were around 600 people at the Britain First rally, and around 400 counter-demonstrators.
At points, members of the Britain First group came into the middle of the square and shouted at their rivals, with chants being exchanged between them.
However, they were kept apart by a number of lines of officers who also ensured the tram tracks remained clear with Metrolink services continuing to run.
Both events came to a conclusion around 4pm with both groups dispersing.
Britain First co-leader Paul Golding at the head of the march(Image: Kenny Brown / Manchester Evening News)
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said two arrests were made ‘during a confrontation at the start of the march.’ They did not confirm which group they were part of or what they were arrested for.
They said the protests had otherwise passed ‘safely and peacefully.’ Officers had facilitated people’s right to protest and ‘minimised’ wider disruption, the force added.
Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, Gold commander the policing operation said: “Today was expected to be a really busy day in Manchester with plenty of planned protest action from different groups in the middle of the city.
Police kept the groups apart(Image: Kenny Brown / Manchester Evening News)
“We’ve had extra resources in place to ensure people could peacefully protest and to minimise disruption for the wider public.
“Thanks to the work of our officers on the ground, and the plans we put in place alongside our partners, hundreds of people from different groups were able to gather in a safe manner with no trouble of note.
“Greater Manchester is a place where people should feel free to exercise their right to lawfully protest, while ensuring that those who live, work, or visit here can feel safe to go about their business and enjoy their day.”