Around 300 people from Traveller communities and their supporters marched through Manchester city centre in protest at treatment of young Traveller teens hoping to visit the city’s Christmas market.
The peaceful protest was organised by the Gypsy Traveller League and was led by Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and Celebrity Big Brother star Paddy Doherty and Tommy Joyce, a well-known face among Greater Manchester’s Traveller communities.
This protest comes after Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) controversial use of a dispersal order last month. Reality TV personality Paddy claimed the scenes were remiscent of “Nazi Germany” after large groups of children and teenagers were stopped from attending the event and “forced” back onto trains.
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(Image: MEN)
The dispersal order was enforced by GMP on Saturday, November 23, citing “reports of trouble among people heading into town.” Videos widely shared on social media showed officers turning people away, including children from Traveller communities. Some people were escorted onto trains at Victoria Station and sent out of the city, sparking outrage among campaigners who say the order unfairly targeted their community.
Mr Doherty, 65, from Queensferry, said: “It’s about human rights. This might seem stupid and silly, but we are the most discriminated people on the planet.”
He said Travellers were ‘not allowed to vote’ as they frequently cannot provide a fixed address. “I pay my taxes and still I’m not allowed to vote,” he added.
(Image: Supplied)
Paddy previously claimed that GMP’s actions were reminiscent of ‘Nazi Germany’. He said: “We are human beings, we are not dog poo. Can you imagine the uproar if they’d tried to put black kids back on the train? It is absolutely appalling and sickening.
“Those kids have as much right to be there as anyone else, they must’ve been terrified being forced onto trains not knowing where they were going.
“It was like Nazi Germany when all the Jews were put on trains, all that was missing was the Swastikas.”
Many of the protesters described GMP’s actions as “appalling.”
Tanya Price, 54, from Warrington, was among the crowds and she said: “This is for our future generations. We want to do this for our children.”
The Traveller Movement, a national charity, accused GMP of “heavy-handed and discriminatory action” and that their actions were “completely unacceptable.”
(Image: MEN)
GMP has defended its decision to issue the dispersal order, saying that it followed reports groups were causing trouble on trains on their way into Manchester.
It is understood that earlier in the day, GMP held talks with The Traveller Movement. GMP’s internal affairs department is investigating a series of complaints about officers who were part of the operation.
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