Overview

• A photo showed Bolton Town Hall’s electricity powering the PA for a nine-hour ‘Know Their Names’ event on October 4.
• Conservative councillor David Meehan called the decision a disgrace and cited government calls to avoid protests after the Heaton Park Synagogue attack.
• Bolton Council said the gathering was not a protest, with no flags or political speeches, and that public space requests are open to all groups.
• The booking was agreed weeks in advance and the event was moved under the town hall portico for health and safety due to Storm Amy forecasts.
• Organisers said volunteers read the names of children reported killed in Gaza and cited more than 18,000 child deaths, while Meehan linked the event to Friends of Al-Aqsa and Bolton4Palestine.