Clashes erupted between supporters of Britain First and the hundreds of anti-racist counter-protesters who arrived to oppose them in Manchester’s city centre this afternoon
Protesters clashed with members of far-right nationalist group Britain First this afternoon in a series of violent scuffles that saw three people arrested and attacks on emergency services.
Dozens of Union Jacks and St George’s Cross flags were paraded through the streets of Manchester through this morning and afternoon as Britain First marchers called for “remigration” – a racist Nazi and fascist fringe concept that advocates for the forced repatriation of ethnic minorities – and mass deportations.
They were outnumbered by counter protesters made up of members from Stand Up To Racism Manchester and the Resist Britain First coalition, who had turned out in their hundreds – with violent clashes between the groups resulting in arrests.
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Pictures taken on the scene show one tracksuit-clad man being walked away from the area by police, and another in which multiple protesters appeared to clash with emergency services and police. Other photos have shown men – who have not been identified – fighting in the streets of Piccadilly Gardens.
The march was broadly peaceful, however, with massive crowds seen being contained by police as they worked their way through Manchester into the afternoon.
According to a spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police, three arrests had been made by 12.50pm for breach of dispersal order, assault on an emergency worker and breach of peace. One man was ordered to leave the area under the dispersal order, the spokesperson added.
The massive police presence remained in place across the Manchester city centre well into the afternoon, with police trucks and mounted officers helping contain the protesters backed with extra powers afforded by the dispersal order.
The order is set to last for 10 hours, and GMP has said it is seeking to “prevent anti-social behaviour, crime, harassment, alarm, or distress”. Manchester has roundly rejected Britain First, with its council leader, Bev Craig, saying in a message on Thursday that counter-protesters needed to “send a clear message that hate has no place in our city”.
