A total of 30 people were arrested after thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in rival race protests. Trouble flared as the English Defence League (EDL) faced off against Unite Against Fascism (UAF) in Manchester city centre.
POLICE are out in force in Manchester this morning to make sure the English Defence League is not allowed to repeat the scenes of violence it triggered in Birmingham last month. The group, which claims to want to protests about islamic extremism, expects 1,000 people to turn up at its protest in Manchester city centre today.
Two previous EDL protests in Birmingham descended into violence when they clashed with rival protesters from the anti-fascist Unite Against Facism. Hundreds of officers are on patrol in Manchester city centre ahead of the lunchtime protest, with officers asking many passengers arriving at the Piccadilly train station about their plans for the day.
Police said they will try to make sure order is maintained and Muslim leaders have renewed appeals for people to avoid the demonstrations. Concern is growing about the protests because a recent EDL event in Birmingham led to counter-demonstrations and bricks being hurled at riot police.
Up to 90 people were arrested and at one point, police had to contain the EDL inside a Birmingham city centre pub to keep them apart from rival protestors. A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said: "Both groups have co-operated with the police"The UAF has confirmed it was gathering at Piccadilly Gardens at midday. The EDL has not confirmed a definite time but will be arriving in Manchester throughout the day."
Chief Supt Gerry Donnellan, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "We have been working closely with a range of local community representatives, Manchester City Council and other agencies to plan for the event. The two factions stood on opposite sides of Piccadilly Gardens, separated by a heavy police line, with officers dressed in riot gear and on horseback. Police imposed a lockdown around the area where an estimated 2,000 protesters gathered.
A UAF protester shouted through a megaphone: "There's many more of us than you," and the crowd sang out: "Who are you?" The perimeter of Piccadilly Gardens was blockaded by police officers in fluorescent jackets. A small group of EDL protesters walked among the throng of shoppers chanting: "We love our country." The sight of a Union flag inflamed supporters of the UAF, causing large numbers of protesters to go in search of the culprit.
Small-scale disruption took place on the streets of the city centre, causing riot officers wearing hard helmets and carrying batons to go running after suspects. UAF demonstrators accused the police of protecting fascists after they were prevented from removing a barrier in Piccadilly Gardens. Earlier police issued a stern message to troublemakers.
Chief Superintendent Gerry Donnellan, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: "If people come to Manchester to protest they are legally entitled to do so. As soon as they step over the line between lawful protest then we will be taking positive action against those individuals. If you are going to come to Manchester and think you can get away with shouting racist, inflammatory remarks, you can expect us to respond." EDL demonstrators planned to meet in Piccadilly Gardens at 5pm, with an address by an "expert speaker", followed by a two-minute silence for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The national anthem was also going to be sung. The organisation denies it is racist and insists in a statement on its website that it is a "multi-ethnic, multi-faith organisation".
Source - Mirror UK
