Members of the Sikh Sewa Organisation allegedly had to flee from Piccadilly Gardens for “their own safety” after a group of far-right protesters became increasingly “abusive” towards them. In a statement posted on their Facebook page, the SSO wrote, “Today after a long time I have got angry and am disgusted by human behaviour. As per every Sunday our team went to feed the homeless in Manchester. Sadly our usual spot in Piccadilly Gardens was over run by the EDL mindless thugs and we had to scarper for our own safety, as they were becoming abusive to the volunteers. It became really scary for us.”
The Sikh group provides meals for the homeless in the very same spot, every Sunday, but were forced to move on to Stevenson Square after thousands poured in to protest Sharia law. “Our usual homeless crowd came to us saying they were starving so the volunteers decided to move to Stevenson Square. They continued these tirelessly serving food despite their own safety.”
Eight people have been reported arrested after demonstrators with the UK Against Hate, headed by former EDL leader Tommy Robinson clashed with counter-protesters. One man even brandished a pig's head to taunt Muslims, turning the whole scene unnecessarily nasty. Robinson however, rubbished all claims of EDL's involvement, calling it all “lies”. He wrote on Facebook, “Looks like the police have joined the newspapers in their #fakenews propaganda. This was not an EDL demo it was UK Against Hate demonstration against terrorism and hate being inflicted on our communities!”
