Over 800 attend Repect Meeting in Manchester

'Manchester election launch is largest public meeting in years

Over 800 people crowded into two lecture threatres at Manchester University to join the launch of Respect's local election camapign in Rusholme, south Manchester.

The meeting, hosted by Student Respect, had so many wanting to get in that an overspill room had to be opened with speakers moving from from one room to the next.

Those attending heard George Galloway, John Rees and others, including candidate Nahella Ashraf, outline the desperate need for a new force in British politics - a force to stand up against war, privatisation and the Islamaphobic racism that has been unleashed as a result of Bush and Blair's insane wars in the Middle East.

"The size of this meeting shows the thirst for a real alternative to war, privatisation and racism. Whether in Parliament or in the local council chamber we need Respect members putting the clear and popular case for peace, justice, liberty and equality" said Nahella Ashraf, prospective candidate for Rusholme ward.

A big thanks to Manchester University Respect and Tabak restaurant in Rusholme for hosting the post meeting press conference.'