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Paddy Doherty, star of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, will join a march against the alleged mistreatment of Travelling children at Manchester’s Christmas markets.
The reality TV personality said the events were reminiscent of “Nazi Germany” after big groups of kids and teens were “forced” back onto trains after being prevented from attending the event last weekend. Police officers in Greater Manchester were accused of being “heavy-handed” after recordings of yelling children being led through Manchester Victoria went viral online.
The Daily Star obtained footage of a massive police presence at the train station, where cops are seen standing in a long line. One child can be heard remarking, “Look at this.” You would believe that we had murdered someone.
Another video shot in the heart of the city seems to show an adolescent being thrown to the ground by police when they inquire, “What have I done wrong?”
Children from the Traveller community were part in the “shocking” incident, which equality organization The Traveller Movement told the BBC was “completely unacceptable.”
They stated: “Parents are extremely worried about the treatment their children have received as a result of this harsh and discriminatory approach, which has left youngsters unhappy and distressed.
“These children were simply trying to enjoy the festivities like everyone else, but instead have been unfairly targeted and marginalised.”
The primary goal of Greater Manchester Police, according to the force, is “always to protect public safety by preventing incidents of violence and disorder.”
At approximately 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, they issued a 48-hour dispersal order in response to complaints of antisocial behavior in the city and on trains. Paddy Doherty, an Irish traveler, has pledged to take a position in response to the situation, which has angered the Traveller community.
He stated to the Daily Star: “We are not dog poop; we are human. If they had attempted to re-board the train with Black children, can you imagine the commotion?
“It is utterly disgusting and disgusting.
“Those children have every right to be there; they must have been frightened to be thrown aboard trains without knowing where they were headed.
“It was like Nazi Germany when all the Jews were put on trains, all that was missing was the Swastikas.”
He continued: “We need to make a stand and show our children and grandchildren that we won’t tolerate being treated this way.”
Paddy stated that on December 6, he and numerous other members of the Travelling community will unite to descend upon Manchester.
“We are expecting hundreds to join our peaceful protest next week,” he stated. Since we are all the same color on the inside, we are extending an invitation to everyone to join, regardless of race.
“We don’t want any trouble, we just want to be heard and respected like everyone else.”
Earlier this week, Mary Kelly Foy, the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gypsies, Travellers, and Roma, called for a Home Office investigation into the event and brought up a point of order in the House of Commons.
“There were multiple instances of Greater Manchester police brutally preventing young Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller children from entering Manchester city center to shop for Christmas,” she claimed.
“A group of Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveler children were shown on camera being forcibly boarded a train to an unidentified station outside of the city, with one boy being shoved so hard that he almost fell down the track.
Additionally, footage depicts a young man being arrested while being physically restrained on the ground.
“There are significant concerns regarding GMP’s operating strategy and decision-making procedures in light of its conduct. The several young people implicated, their families, and members of the Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities have all been extremely distressed by this.
Kate Green, the deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, has also demanded that the video be looked into.
She stated to the BBC: “While we will not tolerate lawlessness and anti-social behaviour in Greater Manchester, I want to reassure the community that I expect the police to treat everyone fairly and with respect and I will be inviting community leaders to meet me to discuss what has happened.”
Following the incident, Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson stated that a dispersal order was issued because the force had received “intelligence” regarding anti-social behavior by groups on trains traveling into Manchester and similar reports in the city center.
“This included plans for officers to re-route arriving groups back home,” he stated.
“Our priority is always to protect public safety by preventing incidents of violence and disorder.”
He stated that shortly after, police responded to multiple disturbances in the city center and broke up fights between groups.
“We understand there are feelings of mistreatment and confusion amongst groups of people for being turned away,” added Jackson.
“We are determined to address these concerns by working closely with the mayor’s office to engage these communities in Manchester and further afield.”
Ahead of the march, Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for additional comments.
