A day to remember: Couple’s wedding clashes with race protest (so police officers are in all their photos)

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated:



  • Bride: ‘When we were exchanging our vows I wanted to hear wedding bells, not demonstrators booing, police dogs barking and a helicopter hovering overhead.'
  • Wedding takes place as far-Right group and anti-facist demonstators clash nearby

Every bride worries her memories of her big day might be ruined by a bad photographer but the quality of Stacey Roberts’ wedding snaps isn’t the problem – it’s what's in the background.

Mrs Roberts had planned her nuptials with partner Mark six months ago only for their vows to be spoiled as English Defence League supporters clashed with anti-fascist demonstrators.

Police made 34 arrests on the day and lines of riot officers appear behind the newlyweds in their wedding photographs.

‘It was like a battle zone,’ Mrs Roberts said of their weekend wedding in Rochdale.

Wedding riot: Stacey Dolan and Mark Roberts after they got married at Rochdale town hall in Greater Manchester whilst 550 protesters from the far right English Defence League held a noisy rally outside their wedding venue

And, smile ...: Stacey Dolan and Mark Roberts after they were married at Rochdale town hall as 550 protesters from the far-Right English Defence League held a rally nearby

‘When we were exchanging our vows I wanted to hear wedding bells, not demonstrators booing, police dogs barking and a helicopter hovering overhead. We had to ask the registrar to speak up because people couldn’t hear over the din.

‘When I came out afterwards all I could hear was sarcastic wolf whistling,’ she told the Daily Mirror.

The couple have been offered £1,000 compensation by the council after 550 protesters from the far-Right EDL battled 100 demonstrators from United Against Fascism.

The two sides were kept around 100ft apart and separated by metal fencing. On several occasions demonstrators surged towards the police lines but never managed to break through.

Big day spoiled: Stacey Dolan and Mark Roberts had their wedding marred by a race demo outside Rochdale town hall

With the two opposing groups of protesters separated by police in the background, the couple move away after having had their wedding snaps taken

Greater Manchester Police had mobilised scores of officers, some in riot gear, as well as mounted and dog units.

After around two-and-a-half hours of angry chanting and shouting, both sides were escorted out of the area in small groups.

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare said: 'We had intensively planned for the event and delivered a robust policing operation to ensure public safety.

'I am proud to be the Divisional Commander of a town with such a wealth of diverse communities with a strong sense of pride and I want to thank everyone who has been involved in the planning of the event for the help and support they have given us.'

Cordoned off: Anti EDL protesters clashed with members of the English Defence League as they held a staged protest outside Rochdale Town Hall at the weekend

The two groups of protesters (above and below) were kept around 100ft apart and separated by metal fencing. On several occasions demonstrators surged towards the police lines but never managed to break through

Far right: English Defence League members hold up banners during a staged protest in Rochdale


 

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