Owing to an increasingly growing dissatisfaction among the public with the UK government measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic there have been several demonstrations around the country in protest of the second national lockdown. I attended the march in Manchester on Remembrance Sunday, 08-11-2020, with a view to capturing the events.
Like all of the marches I have attended to date there was no notable level of violence or unrest during the main event. Unfortunately, once the event is over miscreants tend to swoop in and cause trouble, which is usually what the media reports and is, I suspect, where the main money is made in photojournalism. Unfortunately, the same happened here and arrests were made later in the afternoon once the main event was over.
The photos I am posting today are from the main event which started in Piccadilly Gardens and progressed towards the Arndale Centre, then down towards St Peter's Square before returning to Piccadilly Gardens. By my estimation there was at least 1000 people in attendance.
We start with the speaker, Paul Boys, addressing the crowd in Piccadilly Gardens.
Once on the move, various groups with placards and posters were apparent. These ladies have their views on display.
An enthusiastic young boy shows his appreciation for the message at hand.
A young man observes the passing crowds from a heightened vantage point.
On returning to Piccadilly Gardens a man releases a red smoke flare and livestreams the crowds.
Another dances in front of the infamous "Berlin wall" with graffiti "The North is not a Petri Dish" while two men in the background hold a union flag with text "we do not consent".
Finally, a "COVID SCAM" sign lays abandoned as a frail woman on crutches walks by, juxtaposing denial and vulnerability.
Please note these images are copyrighted. This collection and more will shortly be available for licencing via the alamy stock library, visible under keyword "manchester lockdown protest 2020"