Demonstrators clash as students protest

Coaches took students from Liverpool to the demonstration; YouTube: JMU Journalism TV reports

Liverpool students joined thousands of protesters gathered at Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester on Saturday as clashes erupted during rival demonstrations.

An estimated 700 members of the English Defence League (EDL) marched around Manchester’s city centre and were met with opposition by double that number from the Unite Against Fascism (UAF) group, including coach loads of students from Liverpool.

EDL protesters arrived at Piccadilly Gardens with banners saying ‘Patriotism is not Racism’. The EDL were met with shouts of “Whose streets? Our streets” from the UAF. Officers struggled to contain the scene and sporadic violent incidents broke out as the protesters tried to force their way through a wall of riot police. Dog units and mounted police were used to keep the crowds under control. Protesters from both sides clashed with police while attempting to face off.

The police diverted the EDL down side streets until they could safely enter the venue for the demonstration. Once inside Piccadilly Gardens the protesters were divided by a line of police.

In the early stages of the protest the English Defence League were only around 100-strong but they were joined by a second wave of sympathisers at 3pm. Soon after this the anti-Fascists attempted to break through the police line which in turn led to a reaction from the EDL.

There were over 40 arrests made during the day which was less than last time the two organisations met in Birmingham, where there were 90 arrests. The EDL have marched in Luton, Harrow, Birmingham and now Manchester. They have been met by large opposition in all these locations yet on Saturday Manchester saw the largest gathering of EDL members since their founding.

Several anti-Fascist groups from the North West came to Piccadilly Gardens to oppose the EDL, including Liverpool Students against Racism and Fascism. James Roberts, from the Liverpool group, said: “Today the EDL weren’t welcome on the streets of Manchester, same as they weren’t welcome in Birmingham or Luton.”

Another group from Liverpool, Love Music Hate Racism, was also involved in the rally. Group organiser Martin Smith said: “What we hope to do today is show strong defiance and the message that Manchester wants the EDL out.”

JMU Journalism attempted to contact the EDL at the event but were prevented from gaining their comments due to the massive police presence keeping students apart from the rival factions.