Tens of thousands of anti-austerity protesters marched through the U.K.’s northern city of Manchester on Sunday in a rally timed to coincide with the ruling Conservative Party’s annual conference.
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Chief Superintendent John O’Hare of Greater Manchester Police said: “Today around 60,000 people took part in a demonstration and I would like to thank them for their cooperation”.
Protesting against Conservative policy on a wide range of issues, from spending cuts to immigration to the environment, groups came together under the common banner of opposing austerity.
A few journalists complained of being spat at, and one delegate was hit by an egg.
Four people were arrested during the march, which featured signs reading “End austerity now” and “Cut war not welfare”. Journalists have also been targeted by a few in the crowd, including a Huffington Post reporter who was spat at.
When asked where they had seen the effects of Tory cuts in their community, Jane responded “a better question would be to ask where haven’t you seen the effects of the cuts”.
“Just a police sniper on roof of Tory party conference, which resembles a prison,” he tweeted.
Among those was Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, who told the rally the protest was “sending a very clear message to this Tory Government” that they faced a fightback.
The abuse came despite Labour leader and pacifist Jeremy Corbyn’s call for “kinder” politics and his appeal for activists to “focus on policy and take no part in personal attacks”.
Leaders of the main parties traditionally stay away from rivals’ conferences, but Mr Corbyn will appear at a public meeting organised by the Communication Workers’ Union.
The chairman of the Conservative party, Andrew Feldman, advised those attending the conference not to wear their access passes outside the barriers around the large Manchester Central complex where the event is held.
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“What has happened is inexcusable and journalists must be able to do their job”, the spokesman said.
