Police warn of English Defence League demo: Manchester
(M1 - Wednesday, 7 October, 2009)

A demonstration will take place in Manchester city centre on Saturday 10 October 2009.

It is being organised by the English Defence League, whose aim is to protest against Islamic extremism.

Organisers of this protest have contacted Greater Manchester Police and informed us they plan to hold a demonstration on that day.

There are also plans for a counter protest by the Unite Against Fascism group in the city centre on the same day.

Both groups will hold their demonstrations in the afternoon at a time when families and shoppers will be visiting the city centre in large numbers.

Greater Manchester Police wants to reassure everyone who lives, works and socialises in the city centre that a large police operation will be taking place, which is aimed at both ensuring residents and visitors are allowed to go about their business, while facilitating people's democratic right a to protest.

Police do not have the power to ban protests which consist of a static assembly of people.

Chief Superintendent Gerry Donnellan, of GMP's North Manchester Division, said:

"Greater Manchester Police has a good relationship with the diverse communities in our area.

"We understand their concerns, so we have been working closely with a range of local community representatives, Manchester City Council and other agencies to plan for the event.

"We will be working hard to maintain communication with the local community and partners in the run-up to, during Saturday and in the days and weeks that follow.

"While we respect people's right to protest peacefully, the safety of the community is paramount and anyone who behaves in a way which might create disorder or disrupt people going lawfully about their business will be dealt with.

"Anyone who would want to exploit this demonstration by behaving in a criminal, racist or anti-social way will be dealt with appropriately."

Police Force: Greater Manchester

Address:
City Centre
Manchester
Lancashire
M1