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  "path": "/news/manchester-news-clashes-erupt-ayatollah-vigil-tehran-protesters",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-05T02:57:29.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Election observers ordered to show 'sensitivity' to different 'cultures and customs'",
    "Police provide major update after Manchester mosque incident",
    "WATCH: Matt Goodwin speaks out on GB News for first time since Gorton by-election defeat",
    "advertised at the Islamic Centre of England",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nProtests erupted in Manchester as pro-Tehran supporters and anti-regime demonstrators faced off during a candlelit vigil for Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.\n\nThe vigil took place at 8pm on Wednesday in memory of the former Supreme Leader, who oversaw a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests earlier this year.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nPosters said the event was supported by the Friends of Islamic Centre of Manchester.\n\nAround 100 mourners gathered at the vigil, where a handwritten sign read: \"You can kill a man but you can’t kill an ideology.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nAnother sign beside a photograph of the Ayatollah said: \"My enemies have the support of each other to kill me, O Heart warming love… I have only your support, loyal to Ayatollah Khamenei\".\n\nThe vigil was met by a larger counter-protest of around 300 to 400 people who played loud music, chanted and appeared to celebrate the American intervention in Iran.\n\nAnti-regime protesters waved US and Israeli flags, as well as the pre-1979 Iranian flag, and were kept separate from the vigil by dozens of Greater Manchester Police officers.\n\nSome protesters burned a photograph of the late Supreme Leader and displayed a framed picture of President Donald Trump.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOthers danced to the Village People’s YMCA, a song frequently played at Donald Trump’s campaign rallies.\n\nMeanwhile, vigil attendees laid flowers and candles outside the Islamic Centre and left messages reading \"we stand with the revolution\".\n\nOne pro-Tehran demonstrator burned a photograph of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.\n\nTensions briefly flared as the two groups shouted at each other before police intervened to separate them.\n\n### LATEST MANCHESTER NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Election observers ordered to show 'sensitivity' to different 'cultures and customs'\n  * Police provide major update after Manchester mosque incident\n  * WATCH: Matt Goodwin speaks out on GB News for first time since Gorton by-election defeat\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSpeaking ahead of the vigil, Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said officers were aware of the potential for clashes.\n\nHe said: \"The events in the Middle East are significant for those in Greater Manchester with ties to Iran and the wider region. It is understandable that these evoke a range of views and emotions.\n\n\"We are aware of plans for a vigil and a nearby counter-protest in the city centre on Wednesday night. We are engaging with those involved as well as our partners at Manchester City Council.\"\n\nMr Sykes said police could not prevent the gathering from going ahead despite concerns.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe said officers cannot stop lawful gatherings \"unless there is a clear risk to life and property\".\n\nOther vigils were held across the UK, including one advertised at the Islamic Centre of England in north London.\n\nIn promotional material, the centre said it was \"with deep sorrow and heartbreak\" inviting London’s Muslim community to \"mourn the martyrdom\" of the late Ayatollah.\n\nMr Sykes said police had received assurances from both sides that the vigil and counter-protest would \"remain peaceful\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Clashes erupt in Manchester as pro-Tehran and anti-regime protesters face off at Ayatollah vigil"
}