The graffiti appeared just this morning.
Amidst the ongoing saga of Manchester’s Tier status, a message of defiance has appeared on one of Piccadilly Garden’s ‘Berlin Walls’ – reading ‘The North Is Not A Petri Dish’ in what appears to be spray paint. And it’s had the support of many Mancs, too, including Councillor Pat Karney – who revealed today that the graffiti isn’t going anywhere just yet. [Featured image: billyM_poet]
Speaking of the message today, Karney said: “We can all understand the anger behind this.
“Mancunians come together when our city is threatened. It will be up for a few days and then removed.”
It's staying up for a few days.
Manchester Speaks. https://t.co/cFD4h0GJRs— Pat Karney (@patkarney) October 16, 2020
At long last, a use for that monstrosity of a wall in Piccadilly ‘Gardens’. pic.twitter.com/KN7SYyJTPH
— Cllr Steve Gribbon (@sgribbonlibdems) October 16, 2020
The councillor also continued to display support for the message on social media, saying to followers on Twitter: “Manchester speaks”. Lib Dems Councillor for Marple North Steve Gribbon commented: “At long last, a use for that monstrosity of a wall in Piccadilly ‘Gardens'”.
Negotiations regarding Manchester’s position in the new UK tiering system are still ongoing, with Manchester representatives unable to reach an agreement with the government in order to increase restrictions in the region. Boris Johnson said in a press conference today that he would “intervene” should negotiations continue to fail, saying “The situation in Greater Manchester is grave and it worsens with each passing day”.
Unbelievable that Council Leaders in Lancashire are saying they were bullied and threatened by the Government to take Tier Three.
These public school bullies don't own this country.— Pat Karney (@patkarney) October 16, 2020
Writing in a statement today along with other Northern leaders such as Steve Rotherham, Mayor of Liverpool, and Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of North Tyne, Andy Burnham said: “The Government is claiming that the North is divided and only interested in getting what we can for our own region. That is simply not the case.
“We are all united in fighting for an 80% furlough scheme for all people affected by regional lockdowns, wherever they are in the country. Paying two-thirds of salaries will not be enough to protect the jobs of thousands – it should at least match the 80% that was available under furlough, with the minimum wage as the minimum support.
“The Universal Credit top up is not the answer. It doesn’t help everybody and takes weeks to come through. It will not prevent severe hardship for thousands of low paid workers before Christmas.
“But we won’t forget the self-employed and freelancers and other business who will be affected by these lockdowns, they also need support and we stand firm for those too. This is a fight for what is right.”
In a press conference just yesterday, Andy Burnham spoke out against the government’s tactics again, saying “the north is fed up of being pushed around”.