LIVE: Police warn people to stay away from Piccadilly Gardens as protest turns nasty

[shenmue]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/live-police-warn-people-stay-13169583

[rurallib]

1. Do you know who is protesting and why?

I admit I skimmed, but I didn't see and explanation of who was protesting what.

I am guessing it is against Muslims, based on what the crowds look like, but that is a guess.

[csziggy]

2. EDL and counter protestors

Mass Disruptions In The City Centre Due To March

Everywhere is blocked...
Amy 5 hours ago

Marches and demonstrations are taking place across the city centre as police take place and helicopters surround the city to ensure public safety.

Visitors are advised to check ahead before travelling.

Access via Piccadilly Gardens will be extremely limited.
One of the marches is an EDL planned get together...
https://lovinmanchester.com/news/manchester/mass-disruptions-in-the-city-centre-due-to-march
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English Defence League
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The English Defence League (EDL) is a far-right[6][7][8][9][10] street protest movement which focuses on opposition to what it considers to be a spread of Islamism and Sharia in the United Kingdom.[11][12][13][14][15][16] It describes itself as an anti-racist and human rights organisation.[17] The ideology in forming the EDL was the belief that the religion of Islam "challenges an English, Christian way of life".[17] The EDL has been described as Islamophobic,[8][18] and was until 2013 "the most significant counter-jihad movement in Europe" and considered by some academics to be "one of the more intriguing developments on the far right".[19] The group has faced confrontations with various groups, including Unite Against Fascism (UAF).[20]

In October 2013 the group's co-founders, Tommy Robinson and Kevin Carroll, left the group, with Robinson citing concerns over the "dangers of far-right extremism".[21] He was replaced as leader by Tim Ablitt.[22]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_League
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[suffragette]

3. This sounds the same as the hate rallies and counter protests that were held across U.S. yesterday.

Hmm, I wonder if the U.S. and UK hate groups collaborated in planning these events.