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The organizer of the Piccadilly Gardens anti-lockdown protest says it will challenge the £ 10,000 fine imposed on it by the police.
Paul Boys, a physical trainer and ‘ex-military veteran’ from Trafford, insists that the ‘Rise Up Manchester’ rally attended by up to 600 people in Manchester city center on Sunday afternoon was justified and ‘not it was illegal. ‘
Greater Manchester currently has some of the highest coronavirus infection rates in the country and hospitals have had to suspend non-urgent surgery to cope with an increase in Covid-19 patients.
Under the latest coronavirus legislation, gatherings of more than two people are prohibited in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry told the MEN that this includes all forms of protest.
“In these unprecedented circumstances, any accumulation runs the risk of spreading the disease and causing more deaths, so it is vital that we all play our part in controlling the virus,” the spokesman said.
“People must follow the rules about meeting with others, which apply to all meetings and therefore also to protests.
(Image: YouTube)
“As they have done during the pandemic, the police and local authorities will get involved, explain and encourage people to follow the rules before moving on to enforce the law.”
Police say Boys was warned that the demonstration was not allowed and begged him to leave.
However, the event, which was advertised on social media, was attended by hundreds of people from all over the country.
After marching through the city center, the crowd gathered in Piccadilly Gardens and stayed for several hours.
Protesters were noted to be failing to adhere to social distancing guidelines and many were not wearing masks.
Police issued a dispersal order, but when the crowd did not leave, they moved to break up the demonstration around 4 p.m. Sunday.
Officers made four arrests and issued 25 notices of fixed £ 200 fines for breaches of coronavirus legislation.
Several policemen were injured, the force said, and city leaders have reacted with fury.
GMP Police Chief Ian Hopkins called the event “absolutely ridiculous” and confirmed that he had been forced to recruit officers from across the region to disperse the crowd.
Mayor Andy Burnham described the organizers and those in attendance as “irresponsible and selfish.”
At first, Mr. Boys, 40, appeared to try to distance himself from the protest.
Video not available
A ‘Rise Up Manchester’ Twitter post claimed that it had ‘canceled’ it after police told it the rally could not continue.
Mr. Boys later said that he “exercised his right to go for a walk” and that “those who came to attend the event chose to walk with him.”
“Images in the press of heavy police presence and reports of fines, arrests and injured officers took place after the event ended and the organizers had left, so we do not accept any responsibility for these incidents,” the message said. .
Speaking to MEN, he added: “I had scattered everyone, saying ‘this is over now, go home.’ I was in my car.”
Videos posted on social media show Mr Boys addressing the crowd through a loudspeaker, and then he posted a video on YouTube thanking those who attended and stating that the crowd was ‘thousands’.
Police confirmed tonight that they have issued the event organizer the maximum of £ 10,000 for breach of coronavirus legislation.
Posting on his Facebook page, Mr. Boys told one of his followers that he had received the fine, adding: “I will contest it.”
Boys did not respond when MEN asked for further comment.
What do you think of the protest march of the closure? Give your opinion below
The police gave more details about those arrested in the demonstration tonight.
Two men, aged 30 and 32, were arrested for disturbing public order and both received a fine of 200 pounds.
A 40-year-old man was arrested under article 5 of the Public Order Act. He was also fined £ 200.
A 23-year-old woman was arrested under article 4 of the Public Order Act and was released under investigation. He was also fined 200 pounds.
Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Mabs Hussain said: “Before Sunday, officers attempted to interact with the person organizing this meeting, warning him of the possible consequences and advising him, for his and everyone’s good, that abandon his plans.
“However, he decided to ignore this advice and followed through with a reckless and completely irresponsible course of action. As a result, you have been left with a significant financial penalty.
“Work is underway to identify other people who attended the meeting and who blatantly violated government restrictions.
“Meetings like this increase the demand for our officers, who are already working tirelessly in difficult circumstances to help protect our communities.
“There are government restrictions on social distancing to control the spread of Covid-19.
“We recognize that these are difficult times, but I implore you all to think of your loved ones and do your part to fight the virus, as well as to protect our NHS, by complying with current restrictions during lockdown.
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