Text from Manchester Evening News:
Homeless protesters camped outside Manchester town hall move round the corner to St Peter's Square
The group packed up earlier this morning before setting up a new camp outside Central Library and say they will remain in the city until their campaign in successful
The anti-cuts and homeless protesters camped outside Manchester Town Hall moved just around the corner to St Peter’s Square today - and vowed to remain in the city until their campaign is successful.
The group started to pack up at around 4.30am before setting up camp again nearby, just outside the city’s library.
They were in danger of being evicted by the council following a failed bid to overturn an eviction order at Manchester Civil Justice Centre on Friday.
And today they said they will remain in the city centre’s public spaces until given assurances that the issue of homelessness is 'addressed properly' by authorities.
They are set to meet with town hall officials today to discuss their campaign.
Adam Whelan, a 24-year-old homeless outreach worker and one of the lead protesters, said: “At the meeting on Friday we were told that the council accepted that homelessness was an issue.
“We were told that they wanted to deal with it, and were asked to help them do so.
“All we want is a firm commitment that changes will be made and homeless people will be given proper support.
“We weren’t handed an eviction notice today and so we were never evicted from the Albert Square site, we moved peacefully before we could be moved.
“We will continue to move around and occupy land so that we remain in the public eye, we want to be here for the election, when all eyes will be on the town hall.
“Homelessness is not an issue that will just go away.”
Members met with town hall officials on Friday and said talks were ‘amicable’.
Town hall bosses were granted an injunction to move the group away from the town hall last Monday. But action stalled after an appeal was launched.
Government figures show homelessness was up 79 per cent from 24 to 43 people in Manchester between 2013 and 2014. But campaigners say the true number is much higher.
The council have not yet commented on the protesters’ move.