Environmental campaigners in Manchester call on the city council to allocate more resources to tackling the climate emergency. An emergency the council declared it would tackle in July 2019. Since Manchester City Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in July, no additional resources have been allocated to combat the emergency, according to details released by […]
Manchester joins global climate strike
On Friday the people of Manchester participated in the largest climate strike in history, joining 150 UK and 2,500 worldwide demonstrations critiquing government inaction on climate change. St Peter’s Square took on a different shape during the event – it became a place where the voices of young people were heard as they got on […]
Activists take billionaire energy tycoon to task over ‘greenwashing’ at cycling tour of Britain
Anti-fracking activists took to Deansgate last weekend to protest the sponsorship of the British national cycling team by Ineos, the fracking company and chemicals giant. While remaining peaceful and respectful of cycling fans, the protestors gathered at the start of the race in Altrincham and at the finish in Deansgate. The protestors held banners and […]
How a small act of kindness led to safe drinking water for a village in Ghana
On a ferry boat on the Volta River, while travelling around Ghana in 2003, Manchester-based laughter consultant Robin Graham was offered food and accommodation by the boat pilot, Kove-Yaw. A friendship was started by this kind offer. Kove-Yaw was the founder of an NGO named Kids Foundation Inc, set up to empower women and children, […]
Disabled people speak out about poor accessibility at Manchester Pride
Manchester Pride, a life affirming celebration of sexual and gender diversity for many, faces claims that it is failing in its stated aims of promoting “equality and diversity” due to poor accessibility for disabled people. Three people with disabilities tell of their disappointing and potentially dangerous experiences. A growing number of disabled people are voicing […]
Ancoats residents flex their civic muscles and green fingers in fight for a ‘Peoples Park’
Residents are organising to turn a former retail site into green public space in defiance of council plans for a 440-space car park. The controversial proposal follows several contested planning decisions in Ancoats and Northern Quarter. Locals are staking a claim to the land for a ‘Peoples Park’. […]
March for Democracy, to honour the fallen at Peterloo and plan for future reforms
The March for Democracy, this Sunday 18 August, will pay tribute to those demanding democratic reform who were slaughtered by government forces 200 years ago at Peterloo. The rally will also look to the future, asking how we can reform democracy, to make it fit for the 21st century. It’s the bicentenary of the Peterloo […]
The Six Acts, inspired by Peterloo, aims to reboot democracy now
It’s two hundred years since Peterloo, where those calling for democratic reform were slaughtered by government forces. A new campaign called The Six Acts aims to honour those who fell, in the struggle for a more inclusive democracy, by rebooting democracy today. And they need your help to do it! On the 16 August 1819, […]
Residents vent their frustration at Manchester City Council’s planning process
Public meeting to discuss Manchester City Council’s planning process saw accusations of developers ‘watering down’ councillors’ powers and there being a ‘lack of accountability’ in decisions made during the planning process. Frustration and disillusionment were the primary feelings expressed as Labour Piccadilly ward councillors held a meeting with local residents and activists to discuss ways […]
Campaigners join forces against council schemes they say ignore Manchester’s climate emergency
Local campaigners are joining forces to protest Manchester City Council’s plans to build a five-year, temporary 440 space car park on the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, as well as the Great Ancoats Street Improvement Scheme, which removes cycle lanes. A protest was held on Thursday by the Northern Quarter residents and cycling campaigners […]