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Chronicle Live
National
Sophie Finnegan

Hundreds of protesters march through Newcastle city centre over Covid jabs for children

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Newcastle to protest against Covid vaccine passports and jabs for children.

The protesters congregated at Exhibition Park at around 12pm on Saturday before they marched through Newcastle city centre including down Northumberland Street, Blackett Street, and Grey Street.

They then walked over Gateshead Millennium Bridge and walked to Baltic Square for speeches before the group returned to Exhibition Park.

Go here for the latest news live from Newcastle city centre

Armed with signs, banners and loud speakers, the protesters chanted the word 'Freedom' while some passed out leaflets to passers-by.

Anti vaccination protesters march through Newcastle this afternoon (SAT) warning of the supposed dangers of Covid-19 vaccinations ((c) North News & Pictures ltd northnews.co.uk)

One of the signs at the protest said: "No to jabs for kids. No to jabs for jobs. No to vax passports." Another said: "Mothers against Covid jabs."

Music was also played out continuously through speakers while a number of speeches were held at Grey's Monument in which spokespeople talked about the supposed dangers around jabs.

Other protesters voiced their concerns over vaccine passports with some saying their "country and freedom" was being stolen.

Anti vaccination protesters march through Newcastle this afternoon (SAT) warning of the supposed dangers of Covid-19 vaccinations ((c) North News & Pictures ltd northnews.co.uk)

The Government says that the NHS Covid Pass, known as vaccine passports, lets you share your coronavirus vaccination records or test status when travelling abroad to some countries or territories.

People in England may be asked to demonstrate their Covid-19 status as a condition of entry to a venue or event with the government encouraging its use for large scale events.

Parents also took to the streets - many with their children - to express their fears about children being vaccinated.

Other people were shouting at shoppers and police officers urging them to take their face masks off.

All young people aged 12 to 17 years will be offered a first dose of vaccine with the timing of a second dose for these 12 to 17-year-olds to be confirmed later.

Anti vaccination protesters march through Newcastle this afternoon (SAT) warning of the supposed dangers of Covid-19 vaccinations ((c) North News & Pictures ltd northnews.co.uk)

Parents and guardians will get a letter with information about when the vaccine will be offered.

There was a large police presence in the city centre for the protest as officers made sure it remained peaceful and put in place a number of road blocks to allow protesters to safely cross the roads.

Unlike a similar protest in August which led to clashes between protesters and police with a number of arrests being made, people at the event said the atmosphere remained peaceful throughout the march.

A number of bus services were disrupted in Newcastle with some getting stuck behind the group as they marched through the city.

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