Nine people were arrested after protesters covered a building in red paint and chained themselves to the entrance of a car park in the city centre.
Pro-Palestinian chants rang out as activists from the group Palestine Action ‘occupied’ the Manchester offices of the Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon at One Piccadilly Gardens yesterday morning (Thursday).
Two protesters were seen chained to the entrance and exit machines of the building's car park. The front of the offices were left splattered in red paint as more protestors climbed on top of the automatic doors of the building, according to witnesses.
READ MORE: What now for Rochdale?
A heavy police presence surrounded Piccadilly Gardens with multiple police vans and cars. Tactical Aid Unit officers were out in force as the activists carried out their action.
Police had to cut free the two protesters who were chained to the car park machine. The front of the building covered in paint was also taped off as a clean-up operation was mounted.
Another activist splattered with the red paint was carried away from the scene and into a police van, escorted by numerous officers, while lying down and strapped to a stretcher. Shouts of ‘your profits are covered in Palestinian blood’ were levelled at the bank offices, as Palestine Action says the protest is a response to the bank’s ‘£10 million investment in Israel’s biggest weapons firm, Elbit Systems’.
The group said its demonstration was timed with a visit from one of the bank’s senior New York executives to the Manchester office.
Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed that a total of nine people were arrested following the protest. They included a 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
A GMP spokesperson said: "At approximately 7:30am on Friday morning (29/02/2024) police were called to reports of criminal damage to a business in the Piccadilly Garden's area of Manchester.
"Officers attended and nine people were arrested:
- 32-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated trespass
- 26-year-old woman on suspicion of aggravated trespass and damage
- 29-year-old woman and a 28 year old woman on suspicion of aggravated trespass
- Four women (aged 33, 45, 34 and 23) on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences
- 15-year-old male on suspicion of assault of an emergency worker
"The two women aged 29 and 28 have been bailed pending further enquiries, whilst the others remain in police custody at this time for questioning.
"Officers responded due to reports of disruptive behaviour and to prevent a breach of the peace. GMP will always seek to facilitate peaceful protest but will take swift, appropriate action against anyone breaking the law."
