Hundreds of far-right Britain First supporters gathered in Manchester city centre on Saturday for a 'march for remigration and mass deportations'. The group assembled outside Piccadilly station from 12pm, with the march originally scheduled to start at that time but delayed by police for an hour.
Counter-protests, including Resist Britain First and Stand Up To Racism Manchester, began from 11.15am. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed the Stand Up To Racism rally in Piccadilly Gardens. Clashes broke out between protesters and police, with fights reported in Piccadilly Gardens and along the march route.
Greater Manchester Police issued a 10-hour dispersal order covering the city centre, giving officers powers to remove individuals to prevent anti-social behaviour, crime, harassment, alarm, or distress. Six arrests were made for public order offences, breach of the peace, assaulting an emergency worker, and breach of the dispersal notice.
Britain First leader Paul Golding gave a speech at Castlefield Bowl, where the rally concluded. Manchester council leader Bev Craig said the group was not welcome, urging people to 'send a clear message that hate has no place in our city'. The dispersal order remains in place until 8pm.
