Manchester city centre became the scene of heightened tensions as the far-right political party Britain First conducted a controversial march for 'remigration,' a term widely understood as a euphemism for mass deportation. The demonstration, originating near Piccadilly Station amidst ongoing rail disruption, drew strong condemnation from local authorities and sparked significant counter-protests across the city centre. Anti-racist and anti-fascist groups, including Resist Britain First and Stand Up To Racism Manchester, mobilized to oppose the march, with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressing one of the counter-rallies in Piccadilly Gardens.

Britain First explicitly framed Saturday's event as a 'March for Remigration,' urging supporters to 'Join us as we march for mass deportations.' Their stated immigration policy advocates for the deportation of 'all illegal immigrants, no exceptions,' and the rejection and deportation of asylum seekers based on origin or travel routes. The party also proposes a 'voluntary repatriation' scheme, offering financial aid for immigrants to return to their countries of origin. While Britain First describes itself as a 'movement of patriotism, nationalism, conservatism and traditionalism,' rejecting labels like 'right-wing' and 'racist,' advocacy groups like HOPE not hate contend that their ideology has become 'increasingly more overt.' Alex MacKinnon, a researcher for HOPE not hate, traced the group's origins to former British National Party (BNP) figures, stating that their 'ethnonationalist underbelly' is now 'much more overt.'

Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig unequivocally condemned Britain First's presence, asserting that 'Manchester does not welcome Britain First to our city' and that the 'hate and division' they represent 'has no place here.' This sentiment was echoed by numerous counter-protestors. Nahella Ashraf, chair of Stand up To Racism Manchester, recalled a previous Britain First rally in the city that she described as 'full of hate speech,' drawing parallels between the 'remigration' ideology and language used by Nazis. Resist Britain First, a coalition of Greater Manchester campaign groups, also alleged that prior Britain First demonstrations had 'led to multiple recorded instances of racism, homophobia, and violence by attendees.'

Despite the widespread opposition from the council and various community groups, Britain First's march proceeded due to UK law protecting the right to freedom of expression and assembly. Authorities are legally constrained from banning demonstrations based solely on their views, provided they engage with local police. In preparation for the event, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) implemented a Section 34 dispersal order across the city centre, effective from 10 am to 8 pm. This measure granted officers additional powers to remove individuals from a specified area for up to 48 hours. GMP also deployed extra officers, including mounted units, acknowledging the potential for disruption given the concurrent Premier League fixture and ongoing rail service closures at Piccadilly Station. Chief Superintendent Danny O’Neil stated that police respect and facilitate lawful protest while working to minimize disruption and prioritize public safety.

The day was marked by several confrontations and incidents. Fighting broke out in Piccadilly Gardens and later in Bloom Street, involving demonstrators and police. GMP confirmed that three arrests were made: one for breach of a dispersal order, one for assault on an emergency worker, and another for breach of peace. Additionally, one man was ordered to leave the city centre under the dispersal order before the main rally commenced. Video footage circulated on social media showed a man being escorted into a police van under this order. A large police presence maintained order throughout the city centre. The march took place at a politically sensitive time, just days before a closely watched by-election in Gorton and Denton, where immigration had emerged as a highly contentious issue.