BREAKING: Gaza protesters in Piccadilly Gardens 'occupy' bank building and block off car park

A pro-Palestine protest in Piccadilly Gardens has 'occupied' the offices of a bank, campaigners say.

The building is home to Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon, which campaigners say invests in Elbit Systems, Israel's biggest weapons firm. Protesters have covered the front offices in red paint while others have attached themselves entrance to the building's car park and lay down in front of it.

Police are currently at the scene and at least one protesters was seen being taken away by police in handcuffs.

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Protests have flared up in Manchester for months, since conflict broke out in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians on October 7. Thousands of people have died in the fighting which followed the attack.

Protesters say they have targeted the BNY building because they expected the visit of a New York-based executive today. The campaigners are part of Palestine Action.

Last Saturday (February 24), saw huge crowds gather outside Media City in Salford. Organisers said 'thousands' of people attended the protest led by children who left toys, clothes and shoes.

Children were encouraged to attend the demonstration to highlight the 'horrific' numbers of young lives lost in Gaza. Palestinians from Gaza displayed photos of their family members who were killed by Israel's bombings, including in previous conflicts in 2014 and 2009.

Our reporter is currently live at the scene of the protest.

You can watch along here.

There are around five police vans currently at the scene of the protest.

Officers have lined up in front of the campaigners, who are lying down in front of the entrance to the building's car park.

At least one person has been led away by officers