48 arrests in rival race protests

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Members of Unite Against Fascism (UAF) claimed they ran the English Defence League (EDL) "out of town" at the gathering in Manchester city centre.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said 48 people were arrested but hailed the "first-class" way in which officers handled the event.

The opposing sides confronted each other in Piccadilly Gardens, separated by a heavy police line composed mainly of riot control officers.

UAF spokesman Mike Gilligan said: "It was a tremendously successful day for the anti-racist movement. They (EDL) were only able to protest because of the police that stood between them and 2,000 anti-racists. They were run out of town, they were not very powerful, they completely failed.

"Our protesters reflected the energy, particularly of young people, who showed their disgust at the racists trying to group together in Manchester city centre. It was a vibrant celebration of multi-cultural Manchester."

Members of the EDL, who oppose "radical Islam" and Sharia law, were outnumbered by their opponents.

Pockets of disorder broke out throughout the day, with any hint of trouble attracting a stream of adrenalin-fuelled protesters eager to see where the action was. Mostly it amounted to pushing and shoving against the police line and the "lockdown" imposed around the perimeter of Piccadilly Gardens.

The protest - filmed by camera crews with security guards - tailed off at around 5pm. The EDL demonstrators, who planned to have a speaker and sing the National Anthem at this time, left before doing so.

One man, a member of the public, suffered minor injuries when a coin was thrown at him.