Police move in as pro-Palestine protesters climb onto Manchester Cathedral

Police moved in after pro-Palestine protesters scaled a part of Manchester Cathedral during a huge rally this afternoon.

Thousands marched from Whitworth Park along Oxford Road into the city centre for the sixth weekend in a row. The 'Hands off Gaza' demonstrators met at Whitworth Park amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

It is believed more than 100 pro-Palestine protests are taking place across the UK this weekend, with events also scheduled to take place in Liverpool, London and Birmingham.

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This afternoon, some of the demonstrators clambered onto a roof of Manchester Cathedral, prompting police to move in, before they could be seen climbing down again.

Some of the demonstrators began heading to an unplanned 'sit-in' at nearby Victoria station. But police blocked an entrance and they were prevented from getting onto the concourse.

However, one group of protesters was able to get onto the concourse and take part in a sit-in.

Earlier, activists targeted Starbucks and Pret A Manger during another pro-Palestinian march in Manchester city centre.

The protestors claim that the two chains are supporting Israel by opening outlets in the country. Video taken from this afternoon's march shows protestors shouting 'shame on you' and 'boycott Pret' outside the store.

Others pressed carboard banners on the windows of the Pret café at the junction of Oxford Street and Portland Street, as diners sat inside the café watched on looking bemused. Police officers were on the scene and ordered the protestors to move away from the area.

Ben