Open letter to stop the Fascist Britain First march on 21st February 2026

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council

Dear Andy Burnham and Bev Craig,

We, the undersigned, are calling on Manchester City Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to refuse permission for the fascist organisation Britain First to march and rally in Manchester city centre, a city built on the labour and contribution of migrants.
Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First, has previously used such platforms to amplify hatred against Muslims, as seen during the demonstration on 2nd of August 2025. We are asking you not to allow direct hate speech to be broadcast to his followers from the heart of a city that is proud of its multiculturalism, and where Muslims form a central and valued part of the city’s social fabric.

Manchester City Council rightly promotes the city as multicultural, diverse, and tolerant. The scenes from Saturday 2nd of August, where an openly fascist party led by former BNP members occupied the politically significant site of the Peterloo Massacre, must not be allowed to happen again.

Britain First should be refused such a platform. Instead, we urge Manchester City Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to facilitate, and personally participate in, an event that brings together musicians, artists, and poets from across the city to celebrate what makes Manchester such a thriving cultural hub: its diversity and multiculturalism.

Migrants make this city great. That should be the message projected from the heart of St Peter’s Square, outside Central Library.

Stand Up to Racism will again be holding a vibrant counter-protest in Piccadilly Gardens and invites you both to support, attend, and speak at this event. This should be the centerpiece of the day.

We call on Manchester City Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to commit to ensuring that fascist organisations are never again permitted to use city centre public spaces, including St Peter’s Square, Piccadilly Gardens, or Castlefield Arena to hold public rallies.

We also call on Manchester City Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to host a unity event, in partnership with Love Music Hate Racism, involving local musicians, poets, and artists, to celebrate the diversity that makes Manchester the great city that it is.

Yours sincerely,
Petition by
Manchester SUTR
Greater Manchester Stand Up To Racism
Sponsored by
Whatsapp_image_2025-12-24_at_12.04.25
Greater Manchester Stand Up To Racism

To: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council
From: [Your Name]

Dear Andy Burnham and Bev Craig,

We, the undersigned, are calling on Manchester City Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to refuse permission for the fascist organisation Britain First to march and rally in Manchester city centre, a city built on the labour and contribution of migrants.
Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First, has previously used such platforms to amplify hatred against Muslims, as seen during the demonstration on 2nd of August 2025. We are asking you not to allow direct hate speech to be broadcast to his followers from the heart of a city that is proud of its multiculturalism, and where Muslims form a central and valued part of the city’s social fabric.

Manchester City Council rightly promotes the city as multicultural, diverse, and tolerant. The scenes from Saturday 2nd of August, where an openly fascist party led by former BNP members occupied the politically significant site of the Peterloo Massacre, must not be allowed to happen again.

Britain First should be refused such a platform. Instead, we urge Manchester City Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to facilitate, and personally participate in, an event that brings together musicians, artists, and poets from across the city to celebrate what makes Manchester such a thriving cultural hub: its diversity and multiculturalism.

Migrants make this city great. That should be the message projected from the heart of St Peter’s Square, outside Central Library.

Stand Up to Racism will again be holding a vibrant counter-protest in Piccadilly Gardens and invites you both to support, attend, and speak at this event. This should be the centerpiece of the day.

We call on Manchester City Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to commit to ensuring that fascist organisations are never again permitted to use city centre public spaces, including St Peter’s Square, Piccadilly Gardens, or Castlefield Arena to hold public rallies.

We also call on Manchester City Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to host a unity event, in partnership with Love Music Hate Racism, involving local musicians, poets, and artists, to celebrate the diversity that makes Manchester the great city that it is.

Yours sincerely,