How Repression Became Routine: Protest Policing in Manchester and Beyond
Garden Court North will be co-hosting the ‘Protest Policing in Manchester and Beyond’ satellite event alongside NETPOL, the Network for Police Monitoring, at the University of Salford’s Allerton Building on Thursday 14 May 2026, from 6:30-9:00pm.
The event marks the launch of NETPOL’s annual ‘State of Protest’ report, which examines trends in policing of protests playing out in Greater Manchester and further afield, bringing together legal support networks, activists, grassroots communities, and police monitoring groups.
From Garden Court North’s protest rights team, Rosalind Burgin, Alexander McColl and Bethany Currie will discuss the legal implications of changes to protest law, drawing on their work across the country. They have all been instructed to represent protesters on a wide range of high-profile cases, from animal welfare protests, to environmental protests, to the ongoing legal challenge to Palestine Action’s proscription.
Rosalind, Alexander and Bethany will be supported by Garden Court North’s pupils Pragnya Iovine and Iqra Shahid. The event will also hear from:
- Simon Pook, solicitor at Robert Lizar specialising in protest rights
- Maya Fitchett, Research Coordinator at NETPOL and author of the ‘State of Protest’ report
- Zara, community organiser at the Northern Police Monitoring Project
- Milo, community organiser from the Manchester Feminist Coalition
Free tickets are available here, with an option to donate to the Manchester Green and Black Cross Legal Observer Group.
When: 14 May 2026
Where: University of Salford, Allerton Building, Frederick Road, Salford, Greater Manchester, M6 6PU
Start time: 18:30
End time: 21:00
