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City's anti-war protesters gather Thousands at city's anti-war demo
(about 1 hour later)
About 30,000 anti-war protesters have gathered in Manchester for what organisers say will be the largest ever lobby of a party conference. Several thousand anti-war protesters have gathered in Manchester for what organisers said was "one of the biggest mobilisations outside London".
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 Stop The War Coalition had said that it was expecting about 100,000 to join the protest. Police estimated 10,000 people were taking part. Stop The War Coalition had said it had expected about 100,000.
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. One of the organisers, Yasmin Ataullah, told the BBC that they were "disappointed" with the turnout, but said that they put the figures at 40,000 or higher.
Several road closures are in place. "This is one of the biggest mobilisations outside London and I think there are tens of thousands here - 40 or 50,000 at least," she said.
There have been previous anti-war protests in Albert Square The march began 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.
A "ring of steel" is in place around the conference centres
Some protesters lay down in the road as part of a "die-in" to symbolise the number casualties in Iraq.
Andrew Murray, chairman of the Stop The War Coalition, which helped organise the event, said: "The tens of thousands of people marching through Manchester represent the opinion of the majority of people in this country.
"More than 80% of British people think Tony Blair should stop supporting George Bush's war-mongering policies which have brought nothing but chaos, death and devastation."
They held up banners which read "time to go" and "bring troops home".
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.
Security cordon
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 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.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 are 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. A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said that there had not been any reports of trouble.
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.