manchester protest today is drawing major attention in the city centre, with around 1, 000 Britain First supporters expected to gather at Store Street under Piccadilly station from around noon on Saturday. The march is due to set off at 1. 15pm and head to St Peter’s Square for a rally at about 2pm, while a counter protest organised by anti-racism groups is also planned nearby. Visitors have been warned to expect disruption to roads and Metrolink services, and police have put extra powers in place to manage trouble.
Manchester Protest Today Brings Extra Police Powers
Greater Manchester Police have been given enhanced powers for the day as officers prepare for both the march and the counter protest. A Section 34 dispersal order is in force across the city centre on Saturday, and a Section 60 order gives officers stronger stop and search powers and allows them to remove face coverings.
The counter protest, organised by a coalition calling itself Resist Britain First, is expected to draw up to 1, 000 demonstrators in Piccadilly Gardens. The gathering comes as city centre visitors are being told to plan for delays and possible disruption during the afternoon.
Burnham Says There Is No Place for Racism
In a video posted on X ahead of the march, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said there is “no place in Greater Manchester for any form of racism or hate. ” He added that people have a right to demonstrate, but not to “travel to our city region and incite fear, intimidation and violence in our communities. ”
Burnham said Greater Manchester Police had assured him they would take “every possible step” to keep the demonstrations lawful, and said anything that crosses into unlawfulness would be dealt with “swiftly and firmly. ” He also said the city region would do everything within its power to minimise disruption and keep people safe at all times.
City Leaders Urge Calm as Crowds Gather
Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester council, said Manchester is a city that comes together and that it has “more that unites us than divides us. ” She said there is no room for people who come to the city to spread hatred or sow division, and added that “hate will always be rejected by ordinary, decent Mancunians. ”
Craig said Britain First’s planned national demonstration had caused deep distress in local communities, but stressed that freedom of expression and assembly are protected in UK law, meaning the protest must be allowed if the group engages with local police. She said the council will keep working with GMP and other city centre stakeholders so disruption is limited and Manchester remains open, safe and peaceful.
What Happens Next
The key moment in manchester protest today will come as the march moves from Piccadilly station to St Peter’s Square and then into the rally phase. With a counter protest close by and police using extra powers, the focus will be on whether the day passes peacefully and how much disruption follows in the city centre. The picture is expected to become clearer as manchester protest today unfolds through the afternoon.
