November 27th 2024.
As the holiday season approached, the festive spirit was in full swing in Manchester. The famous Christmas markets were a must-visit for many, including young people from traveller communities across the country. Excited to experience the holiday magic, they made their way to Manchester last weekend, only to be met with disappointment and confusion.
Upon arriving at the railway stations, Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly, the travellers were turned away by the police. It was later revealed that the Greater Manchester Police had issued a Section 34 Dispersal Order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, giving them the authority to deny entry to anyone they deemed a potential troublemaker. This resulted in the travellers, many of them young children, being escorted onto trains without any clear explanation of where they were headed.
The situation quickly escalated as one 13-year-old girl from Doncaster was forced onto a train to Grimsby, leaving her in a state of hysteria according to her mother. Videos of the incident were shared on social media, showing the police shouting at the travellers to get on the train, while the young girl pleaded for them to stop pushing as she feared she would fall. The travellers have since accused the police of discrimination, as they were unfairly targeted and prevented from enjoying the festivities like everyone else.
The Traveller Movement, a charity dedicated to promoting equality and tackling discrimination towards Travellers, has expressed shock and outrage at the treatment of these young people. They have even considered taking legal action against the Greater Manchester Police for their actions. In a statement, the charity condemned the police for blocking Romani Gypsies and Irish Traveller children from attending the Christmas markets and subjecting them to such discriminatory treatment.
The situation has sparked a debate on the use of the Section 34 Dispersal Order and the treatment of travellers in general. While the police have defended their actions, stating that their priority is to maintain public safety and prevent incidents of violence and disorder, the travellers and their families are left feeling mistreated and confused. The Assistant Chief Constable of GMP, Rick Jackson, has promised to address these concerns by working closely with the Mayor's office to engage with these communities and ensure that such injustices do not occur in the future.
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