Several Arrested As Hundreds Turn Up to Manchester Lockdown Protest (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Several people were arrested with dozens reportedly fined at an anti-lockdown protest in Manchester, UK, on Sunday.
Up to six hundred people gathered in Manchester city center in the afternoon despite government orders to stay home to try and curb the spread of coronavirus.
Many of those attending did not observe social distancing guidance and were not wearing masks.
The organiser of an anti-lockdown protest in Piccadilly Gardens will be issued with a £10,000 fine, police have promised.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins condemned the gathering, telling the MEN: "Utterly ridiculous behaviour from the organisers and the protesters, deliberately breaking the law and putting our communities at risk."
He confirmed GMP made four arrests for public order offences and issued 24 Fixed Penalty Notices for failing to adhere to coronavirus legislation.
Several police officers were also injured as the demonstration was broken up on Sunday evening.
Police discovered some of the protesters had arrived from as far as Cumbria via a coach.
The protest began at around 1pm on Sunday and appeared to be under the banner 'Rise Up Manchester'.
Some were holding placards with messages such as 'Fear is the currency of control' and 'Unite for Freedom'
Many appeared to be from outside Greater Manchester and attempted to engage with people passing through Piccadilly Gardens to explain their cause.
At around 2pm, police chiefs confirmed they had authorised a 'dispersal order' which gave them the power to order anyone to leave Piccadilly Gardens.
The UK has registered 1,195,350 cases of the coronavirus with 49,134 deaths related to the disease, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
