Paddy Doherty leads march for Traveller rights in Manchester

In Manchester, UK, members of the Travelling community gathered to protest against their treatment by police, an event led by reality TV star Paddy Doherty. This protest stemmed from an incident that occurred last month when large groups of Romany Gypsies and Irish Traveller children were reportedly stopped by police upon arrival at the city for the Christmas markets. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with police officers allegedly forcing attendees back onto trains. The incident raised concerns about how Traveller children were treated and prompted calls for an investigation into police conduct. The rally today attracted hundreds of supporters, as well as attention from political figures. Mary Kelly Foy, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, brought the matter to the House of Commons' attention, advocating for a Home Office investigation into the events at the local train station. Those organizing the protest emphasized the significance of standing up for the rights of the Traveller community, arguing that unfair treatment has been a systemic issue faced by their people. Doherty expressed strong frustrations over the police's handling of the situation, drawing historical comparisons to oppressive regimes and calling for broader societal recognition of the rights and dignity of Travellers. Community members shared personal stories reflecting their struggles with prejudice and discrimination in various public spaces, including instances of being barred from services simply due to their identity as Travellers. The protest aimed not only to raise awareness about the specific incident in Manchester but also to highlight ongoing challenges and discrimination faced by Travellers across the UK. Participants were encouraged to unite and demand equal rights and fair treatment. The images of children frightened and burdened by police presence at the market served as a rallying call for social justice for the Travelling community and support for their future.