News / protest
Opposing groups of protesters gather in city centre
Two groups gathered a few feet apart in Broadmead on Saturday afternoon for opposing protests.
More than 50 protesters, some of whom were Iranian, stood near TK Maxx, beating drums and chanting slogans in support of the US- and Israel-led actions in Iran.
On the opposite side near Barclays, a group of about the same size called for an end to the ongoing hostilities in Iran, Palestine and Lebanon.
The pro-USA and Israel protesters gathered near the Cenotaph before marching towards Broadmead
Police officers formed a line in front of the pro-USA protesters, who had first gathered near the Cenotaph before marching to Broadmead.
Most placards carried by the pro-USA and Israeli group were critical of the Iranian regime, with some calling to stop “executions” in Iran.
One placard read: “I am Iranian. Bombs are scary. The regime is scarier than bombs. Stop using the suffering of Iranian people as political ammunition against Trump.”
Another protester of the same group held a placard thanking Donald Trump.
The group of anti-war protesters later joined the remembrance march for the Kill the Bill protests in Castle Park
The group protesting against the ongoing hostilities chanted anti-war slogans in support of Iran, Palestine and Lebanon.
Some placards with the anti-war protesters read: “Another distraction for the Epsteinth time” and “Dump Trump End War”.
The group of anti-war protesters later marched to Castle Park for an event to mark five years since the Kill the Bill protests.
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All photos: Rob Browne
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