Manchester Green Councillors demand ‘region-wide’ response against ‘rise in far-right activity’
Councillors demand ‘region-wide’ response against ‘rise in far-right activity’
A group of councillors in Manchester are calling for a ‘region-wide’ response against a ‘rise in organised far-right activity’.
Their call has been published on Manchester council’s website ahead of a public meeting taking place next week.
The group of Green Party councillors will put forward a motion at the meeting about ‘confronting the normalisation of far-right rhetoric’ in Greater Manchester.
The motion makes reference to Britain First marches in Manchester city centre in February and April, which ‘required significant policing resources’ to manage.
The calls will be debated in the council chamber and put to a vote among elected members.
It includes a demand for ‘consistent policing, community safety, and communications support for boroughs facing demonstrations or targeted online disinformation campaigns.’
The motion calls on Manchester council to ‘write to the new Greater Manchester mayor’ over the matter, and ‘formally condemn the rise in organised far-right activity, Islamophobia and anti-migrant rhetoric.’
It will be put forward at the meeting by Green Party Councillors Amna Abdullatif and Hussayn Salem, with support from their party colleagues.
Councillors of all political parties will be able to discuss the motion and vote on the demands.
The motion claims there has been a ‘coordinated normalisation of anti-migrant and Islamophobic rhetoric’.
It continues: ‘Manchester is a city where close to half of the population identifies with a global majority ethnic background, and where the impact of this rising hostility is not abstract, but is felt directly by residents, council staff, and the communities and voluntary organisations the council works with and funds.’
The motion also calls for a ‘review’ of council communications, HR, and safeguarding to support staff in reporting any ‘harassment or intimidation’ encountered in their roles.
There were chaotic scenes in Manchester city centre earlier this year during Britain First marches and counter-demonstrations.
It also brought major disruption to parts of the city, impacting public transport networks.