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Police forced to let off smoke bombs as thousands of masked protesters wave ‘Tory scum’ banners outside Conservative Party Conference

Two separate demonstrations saw 30,000 people take to the streets in opposition to the Conservatives over Brexit and austerity

POLICE were forced to let off smoke bombs at a demo as 30,000 protesters descended on Manchester for Tory conference yesterday.

Two separate demonstrations saw 30,000 people take to the streets in opposition to the Conservatives over Brexit and austerity.

 Protesters held flares and threw smoke bombs outside the Tory party conference
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Protesters held flares and threw smoke bombs outside the Tory party conference
 Lefties took to the streets - but police kept the route away from the venue
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Lefties took to the streets - but police kept the route away from the venue
 Thousands showed up to protest against Brexit too and waved EU flags across Manchester
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Thousands showed up to protest against Brexit too and waved EU flags across Manchester
 They mocked the government and shouted 'Tories out'
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They mocked the government and shouted 'Tories out'

Cops were forced to act to disperse rioters upset at a People' Assembly van being blocked by security.

Smoke bombs were thrown and demonstrators - many wearing masks to hide their identity - chanted "Let us out!" after police refused to allow a van join the march route because it did not have security clearance.

Police vans and mounted officers were later sent to Liverpool Road as the protesters refused to move, and a force helicopter hovered overhead.

After about an hour, police searched the van and allowed it to be driven off.

Extra police were drafted into the area today to help police keep the marchers away from the conference.

Snipers guarded the parade on rootftop too in case violence erupted, but the march was said to be mostly peaceful and no arrests were made.

One banner read: "Tories have blood on their hands".

 Tens of thousands of protestors marched through Manchester city centre to oppose the Conservative conference
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Tens of thousands of protestors marched through Manchester city centre to oppose the Conservative conferenceCredit: Rex Features
 An anti-nuke protester waves a placard during the Manchester rally
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An anti-nuke protester waves a placard during the Manchester rallyCredit: Rex Features
 A banner comparing Theresa May to Cruella De Vil was flown during the march
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A banner comparing Theresa May to Cruella De Vil was flown during the marchCredit: Rex Features
 An anti-Saudi banner was erected on the route of the march
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An anti-Saudi banner was erected on the route of the marchCredit: Rex Features
 Young anti-Conservative protesters wave placards in Manchester
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Young anti-Conservative protesters wave placards in ManchesterCredit: Rex Features
 Thousands marched in the city during the opening day of the Conservative Party conference
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Thousands marched in the city during the opening day of the Conservative Party conferenceCredit: Rex Features
 A socialist protester waves a red flag and a flare during the march
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A socialist protester waves a red flag and a flare during the marchCredit: Rex Features
 A disabled protester was surrounded by police after blocking tram tracks
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A disabled protester was surrounded by police after blocking tram tracksCredit: Alamy Live News
 Police arrested a wheelchair user and lifted them in to a police van
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Police arrested a wheelchair user and lifted them in to a police vanCredit: London News Pictures

And another showed Tory MP Jacob Rees Mogg with an arrow through his head.

Some activists chanted: "Build a bonfire, build a bonfire, with Theresa at the top, put Boris in the middle and we'll burn the f****** lot".

Public and Commercial Services Union boss Mark Serwotka called for a general strike on public sector pay to "bring the Tories down", saying Tory policies were "literally killing people".

The Communist Party said it was giving Theresa May ";notice to pack her bags and quit" and claimed "mass action will drive the Government out".

 Protestors gather outside the venue to rally against the Conservative Party Conference
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Protestors gather outside the venue to rally against the Conservative Party ConferenceCredit: EPA
 A protester dressed as Pennywise from the horror film IT took part in the demonstration
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A protester dressed as Pennywise from the horror film IT took part in the demonstrationCredit: EPA
 Marchers screamed 'Tories Out' during the mass demonstration
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Marchers screamed 'Tories Out' during the mass demonstrationCredit: EPA
 Some masked demonstrators marched along with the anti-Tory protest
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Some masked demonstrators marched along with the anti-Tory protestCredit: EPA
 Thousands gathered near the Manchester venue of the Tory Party conference
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Thousands gathered near the Manchester venue of the Tory Party conferenceCredit: EPA
 An estimated 50,000 protesters marched through Manchester city centre - including a bizarre masked Putin supporter
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An estimated 50,000 protesters marched through Manchester city centre - including a bizarre masked Putin supporterCredit: Alamy Live News
 A protester dressed as Theresa May took part in the march
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A protester dressed as Theresa May took part in the marchCredit: Alamy Live News
 Hundreds waved placards and flags during the march on Sunday
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Hundreds waved placards and flags during the march on SundayCredit: Alamy Live News
 Police arrest a man during the Manchester demonstration
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Police arrest a man during the Manchester demonstrationCredit: Rex Features
 Police snipers kept a close watch on the march as it went through the town
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Police snipers kept a close watch on the march as it went through the town
 Police were forced to shut off roads around the city centre for the march
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Police were forced to shut off roads around the city centre for the march
 Hard-left protestors held flares and chanted as they marched through the city today
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Hard-left protestors held flares and chanted as they marched through the city today

Stephen Pennells, 63, from Manchester, turned up dressed as International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.

He said: "I'm here to draw attention to the fact the Government is having its strings pulled by big business."

It came after police removed a “Hang The Tories” banner secured to a bridge in Salford yesterday.

Manchester Labour MP Lucy Powell condemned the sentiments along with mayor Andy Burnham.

And fellow MP Wes Streeting tweeted: "There really is no justification for throwing objects at people attending Conservative Party conference. None whatsoever.”

It came as Jeremy Corbyn found the time to tweet about the violence in Catalonia – but couldn’t bring himself to tweet about the targeting of Tories in Manchester.

The Labour leader instead calling on Theresa May to intervene with the Spanish government over a police crackdown against Catalonia's unofficial independence referendum.

He wrote: I urge Theresa May to appeal directly to Rajoy to end police violence in Catalonia and find political solution to this constitutional crisis."

 And a pro-EU march also attracted thousands to the streets
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And a pro-EU march also attracted thousands to the streets
 Police were drafted in to help keep locals safe - one wore an Anonymous mask
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Police were drafted in to help keep locals safe - one wore an Anonymous mask
 One protester lights a flare at the march
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One protester lights a flare at the march


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