Yahoo News GMP issue statement after chaotic scenes between demonstrators and officers at Palestine protest
Police have issued a statement after video footage emerged of chaotic scenes involving demonstrators and officers at a pro-Palestine protest in Manchester.
The scenes unfolded in the city centre yesterday afternoon (Saturday) while the demonstration was taking place. Protesters from various groups initially met in Piccadilly Gardens at 12pm, before moving to St Peter's Square.
The clips, which have been shared on X, formerly Twitter, appeared to show disorder between police officers and demonstrators. Campaigners at Manchester Palestine Action claimed police 'beat protesters'.
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Sharing the clips, the group wrote: "Police beat Manchester protesters for opposing the Gaza genocide and demanding the freedom of Palestinian political prisoners."
Bosses at GMP said 'disorder ensued' as officers made their way into the crowd yesterday and that four officers suffered 'non-serious' injuries. The force said officers initially made their way into the protest to arrest a man on suspicion of assault 'in connection with a matter unrelated to the protest'.
Chief Inspector Peter Crowe of GMP’s City of Manchester district said: “Our focus when policing protests is acting properly and fairly; using necessary powers to prevent situations from escalating and keep people safe.
“When officers entered the Pro-Palestine demonstrations yesterday afternoon in St. Peters Square, it was to find and arrest a man on suspicion of assault in connection with a matter unrelated to the protest.
“We understand disorder ensued as police entered the crowd, as captured in a video circulating on social media. Whilst public order policing is complex and challenging, we will not tolerate violence or threatening behaviour and will take action to protect ourselves and the public when necessary. "
In a statement following the protest, a spokesperson for Manchester Palestine Group said they were 'disgusted by the violence used by the police' on the protest, which they labelled 'madness'. They claimed the demonstration had 'passed smoothly' before police 'charged' to an area where people were holding photos of children killed in Gaza, and alleged that 'many elderly and young people ended up hurt' following the chaos.
