Tense scenes in Manchester as pro-Palestinian protesters target shops and buildings as they call for 'ceasefire'

There were tense scenes across Manchester today (November 18) as thousands of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched and chanted their way through the city centre for the sixth weekend in a row.

Crowds gathered at Whitworth Park at 12pm before making their way down Oxford Road and continuing towards Manchester Cathedral.

On route, protestors targeted a Starbucks and Pret A Manger shop, shouting ‘shame on you’ and ‘boycott Pret’ while customers inside looked on in bewilderment. The protestors claim that the two chains are supporting Israel by opening outlets in the country.

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The ‘main target’ was however the Fisher German offices in Centurion House on Deansgate - due to the property surveying company's links to Elbit Systems, which protesters claim produces specialist electrical equipment for military use by Israel.

As the sea of demonstrators reached Centurion House, police officers scrambled to block the entrance as chants of ‘Fisher German shame on you’ filled the air. Officers also formed a line in front of the Starbucks branch located within the same building that was closed 'due to unforeseen circumstances', according to a note posted on the front door.

The Manchester Evening News has approached Starbucks and Pret for comment.

Fears of disorder rose again when protestors reached Manchester Cathedral and several demonstrators began to climb the part of the cathedral, before being told to get down by police.

Following several speeches outside the cathedral, demonstrators moved on to the nearby Manchester Victoria station where an unplanned ‘sit-in’ was