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City's anti-war protesters gather City's anti-war protesters gather
(about 4 hours later)
Thousands of anti-war protesters are gathering in Manchester for what organisers say will be the largest ever lobby of a party conference. About 30,000 anti-war protesters have gathered in Manchester for what organisers say will be the largest ever lobby of a party conference.
The Stop the War Coalition says about 100,000 will be at the march, although police say they expect about 25,000.
Demonstrators are protesting against Government policies in the Middle East and nuclear weapons, on the eve of the Labour Party conference in the city.Demonstrators are protesting against Government policies in the Middle East and nuclear weapons, on the eve of the Labour Party conference in the city.
The theme is "Time To Go" - a call to get troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan.The theme is "Time To Go" - a call to get troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The march will begin at 1300 BST in Albert Square outside the city's town hall, before heading down Lower Mosley Street, Deansgate, Market Street, Cross Street and back to Albert Square for a rally. Several road closures are in place. The Stop The War Coalition had said that it was expecting about 100,000 to join the protest.
A "ring of steel" is in place around the conference centres The march was beginning in Albert Square outside the city's town hall, before heading down Lower Mosley Street, Deansgate, Market Street, Cross Street and back to Albert Square for a rally.
Several road closures are in place.
There have been previous anti-war protests in Albert Square
A peace camp was set up at the nearby Peace Gardens earlier this week by families of serving troops.A peace camp was set up at the nearby Peace Gardens earlier this week by families of serving troops.
There will also be speeches against replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system.There will also be speeches against replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system.
The march will be the 15th national demonstration organised by the Stop The War Coalition, CND and the Muslim Association of Britain, and is said to be the biggest of its kind ever held in Manchester. The march is the 15th national demonstration organised by the Stop The War Coalition, CND and the Muslim Association of Britain, and is said to be the biggest of its kind ever held in Manchester.
Speakers will include veteran peace activist Tony Benn, union leaders Tony Woodley of the T&G, and Keith Sonnet of Unison, Rose Gentle of Military Families Against the War, and Craig Murray, the former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan.Speakers will include veteran peace activist Tony Benn, union leaders Tony Woodley of the T&G, and Keith Sonnet of Unison, Rose Gentle of Military Families Against the War, and Craig Murray, the former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan.
About 1,250 police will be on duty during the march and rally. About 1,250 police are on duty during the march and rally.
Senior officers promise to deal "firmly" with any trouble, although organisers of the event say previous demonstrations have always passed off peacefully.Senior officers promise to deal "firmly" with any trouble, although organisers of the event say previous demonstrations have always passed off peacefully.
A security cordon is in place in part of the city around the G-Mex Centre and the nearby conference centre for the start of the Labour conference on Sunday.A security cordon is in place in part of the city around the G-Mex Centre and the nearby conference centre for the start of the Labour conference on Sunday.