Peace Group leads the way in Manchester

Patricia Gilligan outside the Labour Conference at the G-Mex.

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Members of Rochdale and Littleborough Peace Group took a very active part in ‘The Costs of the War’ demonstration at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester on Saturday (20 September).

Kathryn Crawford and Thomas Gilligan carried the large 'Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament banner' ahead of the thousands of protesters, calling for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan and an end to what they called the government’s other warmongering policies.

They walked alongside national figures including Jeremy Corbyn MP, Kate Hudson of CND, Andrew Murray of the Stop the War Coalition and Rose Gentle of Military Families Against the War.

Peace group member, Patricia Gilligan took her placard to the very edge of the so-called ring-of-steel, which stops the public gaining any access to the Labour Party conference at G-Mex. She demanded that the delegates hear the group's call to bring British troops home. Her husband, Philip, carried a mock-up of a Trident nuclear missile, saying that the nuclear missiles supported by the government may eventually cost us the earth.

Greater Manchester Police were pleased that the anti-war protest passed off peacefully and that there were no major incidents or arrests.

Superintendent Steve Nibloe from Greater Manchester Police's North Manchester division said: "More than 2000 protesters took part in the march which involved campaigners from Stop the War and other anti-war demonstrators.

"I would like to commend protesters for the way they conducted themselves and for their behaviour.

"Greater Manchester Police is fully committed to allowing peaceful protest and I am delighted with the way the protest went and the professional and helpful attitude that our officers displayed.

"We have built a constructive working relationship with Stop the War and other anti-war groups for a number of years, and that has helped ensure a successful and peaceful event."