Rochdale Council have asked the organiser of a planned protest due to take place at Heywood Memorial Gardens on Saturday 11 July to consider relocating the event to an alternative venue.
Heywood Memorial Gardens is a dedicated place of remembrance, created to honour members of the armed forces who have served our country, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It provides an important space for reflection and commemoration for many people across our community.
The council fully respects the right to peaceful protest and recognises the strength of feeling that people may have on a wide range of issues.
However, it says it believes the Memorial Gardens should remain solely a place of remembrance and that a different location would be more appropriate for a protest event.
“This request is not directed at any particular group or cause. The council has taken the same approach in similar circumstances in the past and seeks to protect the dignity and character of its memorial sites for everyone.”
The council added
“We have also discussed the matter with Heywood Veterans’ Association, who share the view that the Memorial Gardens should be used only for their intended purpose as a place of remembrance.
We hope the organisers will carefully consider this request and agree to hold the protest elsewhere.”
