Shocked residents have slammed ‘disgraceful’ protesters who gathered to oppose plans for a coronavirus vaccine and the government’s handling of the lockdown.
M.E.N readers say the protest at Platt Fields Park - which drew just a small number of people on Saturday - was disrespectful both to NHS workers and those who have died from the virus.
Police said residents in the region “continue to be overwhelmingly supportive of the current measures to support the NHS and save lives”.
But a ‘small number’ of protesters who gathered in Platt Fields Park on Saturday afternoon did not appear to be adhering to social distancing advice.
Some claimed they were gathered to protest the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, while others criticised the government’s lockdown arrangements.
One woman told the Manchester Evening News she did not believe a virus even existed.
Several police officers were present in the park, close to the lake, to monitor the activity.
It is not known how many people attended throughout the day but police said it was ‘a small number’. No arrests were made and the gathering finished at around 3pm, Greater Manchester Police said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of M.E.N readers took to social media to express their shock at the protesters’ behaviour.
Commenting on the M.E.N Facebook page, North-West Savers wrote: “Disgraceful. It's a slap in the face to all the frontline workers who put themselves in harms way every day, and to the families and friends of those who have died.
“And disrespectful to those people who don't even have the freedom to leave their homes at the moment because they are in the clinically extremely vulnerable group and must be shielded…”
Will Davis wrote: “How many of these people will be in hospital in the next few weeks, and yes NHS having to go through the process again to save their lives. Just my personal opinion”
Elsa Stevenson-parr added: “Its outrageous !!! How can their right to protest override the law in this situation? Its just anti-social behaviour.
“They are not staying safe and they are a threat to the wider community they should have been arrested!”
While Mandy Campbell wrote: “You don't need all this protesting just because you don't want a vaccine that does not exist yet. When it does exist just refuse it simple. The lockdown was for all of us to stop this virus spreading. None of us are exactly overjoyed with sitting in but we are getting on with things for the time being.”
And Theresa Sefton added: “they should be shown footage of us laying bodies out patients dying without family with them nurses crying in despair! I see it first hand omg this is real.”
Many people commented to say that the protest was disrespectful to NHS workers.
Sam Bowker commented: “These people are basically sticking two fingers up to our NHS heroes who have fought day and night to protect people's loved ones and have had to watch people die day in and day out. They should be ashamed of themselves!”
While Heather Moran added: “Don’t come to the NHS if you need treatment then!!!! I live and breath this virus daily as I work for the NHS you don’t deserve our hard work.”
Meanwhile, Ann Spilman wrote: “Are these people for real, it's people like them that are keeping people in isolation longer, we’re they all tested for covid 19 before they went to Platt fields, if it wasn't for them & people like them we could well be out of this situation.”
Liam Edwards wrote: “In 1914 and again in 1939 millions of boys YES BOYS not only gave their freedom but gave their lives so that you have the FREEDOM you have today
“You are being asked to be sensible and maintain social distancing.
“Yes it's hard to not see your families I missed the birth of my first child last week and his grandparents are yet to meet him all because of this virus
“And as for protesting a vaccine you can not be serious if you want to protest something that will potentially save your life then you deserve to get this virus and then let's see how much protesting will help you”
While Christine Hall said the protesters “should all be fined for breaking the law at the very least”.
She added: “No wonder figures are so high in Manchester :( Frontline workers must totally despair when reading such blatant disregard for others.”
