Extinction Rebellion are planning to block streets in Manchester as part of a nationwide protest over Bank Holiday Weekend.
The global environment movement is holding a march in an attempt to encourage the Government to act on climate change and ‘draw attention to the greatest existential threat’.
Extinction Rebellion will aim to shut off roads in the city and target spots in Manchester that highlight the city’s ‘relationship with slavery, colonialism and the financing of fossil fuels’.
A socially-distanced march is set for Sunday – in which members will parade past Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Art Gallery and the Royal Exchange.
Another march will begin from St Peter’s Square on 1 September.
The group will also be unveiling banners and occupying streets in other major cities across the UK throughout the next few days – including London, Cardiff and Bristol.
Members are planning a further protest day focused on HS2 on 4 September – holding banners aloft in Manchester and along the planned rail route.
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Police have issued a reminder that protest organisers could face fines of up to £10,000 for arranging the gatherings.
But Extinction Rebellion’s police liaison team have called it a “vague threat”.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester councillors have been warned to secure their social media accounts in fear of hacking.
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Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester council, said: “The council will always respect the right to peaceful protest and try to support demonstrators to do so safely.
“However, this must always be balanced with the rights and safety of Manchester people.
“Targeting local authorities through digital disruption has the potential to impact vulnerable people who rely on support from the council, as well as key public health and safety advice around the on-going Covid-19 crisis.
“So we would ask demonstrators to consider the unintended consequences of their actions.”
News
Sexy Fish Manchester forced to temporarily close after huge Damien Hirst fish sculpture falls from wall
Daisy Jackson
Sexy Fish Manchester is temporarily closed after one of its impressive Damien Hirst sculptures fell from the wall of the luxury space – while diners were inside.
Videos shared online of the aftermath show the huge glittering sculpture smashed on the floor of the restaurant space, with chunks of concrete scattered.
The restaurant has a sign in the window confirming it is closed today due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
A statement from Sexy Fish Manchester confirmed that the dazzling artwork, which was part of the Spinningfields restaurant’s multi-million-pound fit-out, fell during lunch service yesterday.
Sexy Fish Manchester opened in 2023 in a huge space in Spinningfields, filling it with opulent details like a sparkling octopus sculpture, mermaids, a waterfall, and a huge fish tank.
It was one of the city’s most impressive openings of that year and has drawn in crowds with its premium sushi and seafood menu.
The statue that fell is one of the 3D Damien Hirst pieces, this one featuring intertwined swordfish.
Today, scaffolding can be seen inside the restaurant as repairs take place, with plans to reopen soon.
Sexy Fish said: “Yesterday, a piece of art fell off the wall at Sexy Fish Manchester.
“Our team responded immediately, and is in close contact with guests who were dining at the time.
Weather warnings issued with parts of Greater Manchester set to be battered by torrential rain
Emily Sergeant
Large parts of Greater Manchester are set to be battered with heavy rain and strong winds this weekend.
Summer couldn’t be a thing of the past more if it tried, at least not for the North anyway, as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for a parts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland – with Greater Manchester very much included in the mix, and set to see some pretty grim conditions over the coming days.
According to the Met Office‘, unsettled conditions ‘will prevail’ for many with heavy rain and strong winds over the weekend, and even a risk of thunderstorms too.
The yellow weather warning – which covers most of Greater Manchester, primarily the more northern boroughs – comes into place from 9am on Saturday (20 September) and will officially end at 6am on Sunday (21 September).
Weather forecasters are warning local residents to take care when the rough conditions hit.
“20-40 mm of rain is expected to fall widely, with some locations perhaps seeing 60-100 mm, with much of this total falling in just a few hours,” explained Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Tom Crabtree.
“From mid-Saturday onwards, increasingly strong gusty winds and perhaps some thunder will also accompany the rainfall, further increasing the risk of disruption.”
He also added that strong winds are ‘likely’.
“These may potentially exceed 55 miles per hour, however the exact location and timing remain uncertain at this time [so] we’re closely monitoring developments and may issue more warnings as the situation evolves.”
The Manc -
28th August 2020 
