Sitting and watching Sarah Whitehead and her team of volunteers giving out free hugs, it became clear to me that the spirit of this city will not be broken. Mancunians were visibly embracing the advice of poet Tony Walsh when he said “Choose love Manchester” at a vigil to those killed and injured in the […]
Mayoral candidate Will Patterson proposes a green future for Greater Manchester
Will Patterson proposes a green future for Greater Manchester (GM) in his bid to become the first elected mayor of the region on the 4 May 2017, replacing the current interim mayor Tony Lloyd. Patterson answers questions previously posed to four other major mayoral candidates: Andy Burnham (Labour Party), Sean Anstee (Conservative Party), Shneur Odze […]
Mayoral candidates for Greater Manchester on the fire brigade
Our innate fear of fire is justified: it can kill and maim with frightening speed. Since 1826, when Manchester first adopted a local authority provided fire brigade, there has been a steady increase in the brigades effectiveness in fighting fires and saving lives. But now the fire brigade’s advances appear to be heading in the […]
Mayoral candidates for Greater Manchester on xenophobia and multiculturalism
Since the EU referendum on 23 June 2016, when the majority of UK voters chose the ‘Brexit’ option, there has been a worrying rise in xenophobic abuse in Greater Manchester and across the UK. Far right individuals and organisations are increasingly questioning the benefits of immigration and our multicultural society. Just a week after the […]
Events dampen the numbers but not the spirit of a community fundraising Halloween record attempt
Did you see any spooky goings-on in Platt Fields Park this Halloween? You might have encountered a world record attempt at the most people dressed as ghosts in one place!
Casualties continue to rise in the war on drugs – is it time to call for peace? (Pt.2)
The war on drugs is failing on multiple fronts in the UK.
As the weight of evidence continues to grow against the effectiveness of prohibitionist policies used in this war, change is happening in countries across the world implementing evidence led liberal drug policies that benefit society and the individuals using drugs.
84Youth Moss Side: Challenging damaging narratives and promoting peaceful change
The murder of young men in Moss Side and the imprisonment of many under joint enterprise laws has left a community traumatised. 84Youth are addressing that trauma and challenging damaging narratives perpetuating youth violence.
Policing of pandemic disproportionately affected people of colour, report says
Policing of the pandemic “maintains racial injustice, further entrenches existing structural inequalities, and poses a threat to the safety and wellbeing of racially minoritised and working-class communities,” the authors say.
Mayoral election candidates answer one simple question – why should I vote for you?
On Thursday Greater Manchester decides who will be the next mayor of the city region. To help you choose who should be honoured with this position of power, we asked the candidates for a succinct summary explaining why you should pick them to become the next mayor.
‘Positive Energy Always Creates Elevation’: Q&A with peace activist Dr Erinma Bell
Lamin Touray interviews Dr Erinma Bell, a Rusholme-born Nigerian who was the first woman to have a statue of herself on display in Manchester Town Hall as a tribute to her work of reducing gun and gang crime in Manchester.