Thousands take to streets to protest Conservative Press conference closing major roads in process
- People's Assembley organise dozens of events of 'resistance' against Manchester hosting Conservative conference
Major roads including Oxford Road were closed as thousands of protestors and dozens of organisations came out to object the annual Conservative Party conference.
The People’s Assembly helped co-ordinate the march which began at 12pm at Whitworth Park.
Organisations such as CND, PSC, Black Lives Matter were in full presence, as well as many Unions like Unite the Union, National Education Union and the Fire Brigades Union.
With the designated meeting spot as Whitworth Park and destination as Manchester Central Complex, where the press conference begins, several main roads were closed from around 12pm to 4pm.
Oxford Road was closed from 9am until 3pm.
Hundreds of police were in full force from across Greater Manchester.
Many protestors were heard saying they thought the presence was “excessive” and “unnecessary”.
Councillor for Hulme Ekua Bayunu was in attendance in support of the protest .
She said she wanted to “show solidarity with so many different people I know and organisations who want to make it very clear to the Tories what we think of their government, what we think of their policies, particularly this draconian law they are bringing in place to stop us from having this voice”.