Hundreds of people gathered in Platt Fields Park on Sunday to march in protest of the bombing in Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza.
The demonstration was organised by various groups, including Red Roots Collective, RS21, Youth Front for Palestine, and Manchester Feminist Coalition.
The crowd attracted a mix of people from different communities and groups, this was evident as LGBT flags were seen alongside the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Speeches were read out at Platt Fields Park, and the march went through the Curry Mile, ending in front of the University of Manchester.
There were brief skirmishes at one point between individuals chanting pro-regime slogans and those chanting “Woman, Life, Freedom” – a phrase associated with feminism and women’s movements across the Middle East.
However, people from all backgrounds and political leanings were there to demonstrate against the United States and Israel’s bombing of targets in Iran and the continued war in Gaza.
Bayan Khalil, 26, an Anglo-Palestinian boxer from Stockport, attended the march and said: “What is happening is horrible. Israel are getting away with bombing Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and now Iran.”
Andrew, 59, said: “I’ve come from Liverpool today for this protest. What’s happening is absolutely disgraceful – it is the greatest crime of our lifetime.”
David Vincent, 67, is part of a trade union samba band which was leading the march. He was a civil servant for 44 years and is a trade union activist. He is part of the Public and Commercial Services Union and said he believes that trade unions should be playing a bigger role in stopping the sending of arms to Israel from the UK.
The US Air Force bombed Iran’s nuclear sites at the weekend, and Iran’s Fordow nuclear site was targeted again by Israel today. Iran has responded to these attacks by firing missiles at Israel.
As the conflict in the Middle East continues to grow, more protests are expected in Manchester and across the UK.
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