News
Council leader calls for ‘compassion and solidarity’ after protests in Manchester
"There is no place for hate in our city."
Emily Sergeant -
6th August 2024 
The leader of Manchester City Council has called for “compassion and solidarity” after protests across the country.
After a weekend that saw widespread far-right protests and counter demonstrations in towns and cities throughout the UK – predominantly here in the north, and in Greater Manchester – following the devastating killing of three young girls and the injuring of several others during a knife attack in the Merseyside seaside town of Southport at the end of last month, the leader of Manchester City Council insists disorder “will not be tolerated in our streets”.
Cllr Bev Craig says there is “no place for hate” in Manchester.
Hundreds of people have been detained and arrested by police nationwide over last few days following the riots – including 19 people in Manchester city centre, according to GMP.
#UPDATE | Update following policing operation for protest activity around Greater Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) August 5, 2024
19 arrests were made on 3-4 August 2024 for a range of offences. Seven were charged with possession of a weapon and one was charged with assault.
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/9DAW91Dj9I pic.twitter.com/cCD5DeAQDW
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called an emergency COBRA meeting in response to the ongoing unrest, and said his Government “utterly condemns the far-right thuggery” displayed, adding that “those who participated in this violence will face the full force of the law.”
And now, Manchester’s Council leader has had her say.
Addressing the Manchester public in a statement, and calling for “compassion and solidarity” moving forwards, Cllr Bev Craig wrote: “We know that our communities will be feeling understandably anxious and uneasy, but we would like to reassure our residents that we will not tolerate disorder in our streets.
“Manchester’s diversity is our strength, and it is now more important than ever that we support one another with compassion, understanding and solidarity.
“I am deeply conscious that some of our communities, especially minority communities, are anxious about discrimination, abuse, anti-Muslim sentiment and racism, much of which is playing out on social media, alongside misinformation and other forms of hate.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community, and we will continue to work with colleagues at GMP to monitor local concerns and make sure that Manchester remains a welcoming and safe place.
“As such, there will be an increased police presence in our neighbourhoods, and we want to be clear that officers are there primarily to provide visibility and reassurance.”
Council Leader calls for solidarity following protests and unrest in Manchester and across the country this weekend.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) August 5, 2024
Read the statement in full: https://t.co/ZIWS6Df1tf pic.twitter.com/6QTsDhR54E
Looking ahead to how the region plans to manage the situation going forward, Cllr Craid added: “We fully support GMP in taking robust action against anyone who is intent on bringing violence to our city.
“Swift action is needed to bring people to justice, and we would also like to thank Council staff, officers at GMP, and other partners who helped to keep Manchester safe this weekend under very challenging circumstances.”
Cllr Craig closed out her statement insisting that “there is no justification for criminal behaviour”.
Read more:
- Government condemns ‘far-right thuggery’ following UK-wide protests over the weekend
- Taylor Swift ‘completely in shock’ as she pays tribute to Southport attack victims
- Hundreds of emergency ‘trauma kits’ are to be installed across Manchester city centre
“The actions of the perpetrators undermine everything that Manchester stands for,” she added. “We are proud to be a vibrant, tolerant, and accepting place – and we know there is more that unites us than divides us.
“Now is the time we come together to show what this means.”
Featured Image – GMP
