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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Manchester city centre to protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s move to suspend Parliament.

Holding aloft placards bearing slogans such as ‘BoJo Must GoGo’ and ‘Who Voted For You?’, protesters packed out Cathedral Gardens in the pouring rain.

Journalist Paul Mason was among the speakers.

As chants of ‘stop the coup’ rang out, Mr Mason told the crowd they were ‘fighting for democracy’

"This is not about Brexit any more for me - it’s about democracy," he added.

"Boris Johnson wants to make this about the people versus Parliament.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

“We are the people and we will defeat you.”

It was one of 80 planned demonstrations due to take place in towns and cities across the UK in the next week.

Critics have accused Mr Johnson of trying to swerve Parliamentary democracy to stop MPs blocking a no-deal Brexit by closing Parliament for five weeks.

The protests have been organised by several groups, including Momentum - the grass-roots left wing organisation set up to support Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - and anti-Brexit campaign group Another Europe is Possible.

Citing the Peterloo Massacre, the 200th anniversary of which took place earlier this month, Labour MEP for the North West Julie Ward told the Cathedral Gardens protest Manchester’s ‘history is protest’.

“We should not be in this position,” she added.

“In the 21st Century, we should be thinking about extending rights - not taking them away."

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Speaking afterwards Green Party MEP for the North West Gina Dowding told the Manchester Evening News: “This is really now about a fight for democracy.

“Things have got really serious.

“People have come out in their thousands, standing in the pouring rain, to stand up for our rights as citizens, exposing the lie that this was all about taking back control.”