<P> 1996: The Pink Paper reported £ 77,000 and that the Village Charity was hoping for a further £ 50,000 from donations included in ticket sales to the Sunday Freedom GALA . Total: £ 127,000 . </P> <P> In 2013 "Facts About Manchester Pride" campaigners were tipped off that Manchester Pride closing the streets to pedestrians was unlawful . In the run up to the 2014 event the Department For Transport confirmed in writing that the streets closures had always applied to traffic only and that Manchester City Council had exceeded its powers by including pedestrians in its Traffic Order . There was media coverage . However the Manchester Evening News referred to a planned protest as a "mass trespass," turning the truth on its head . </P> <P> A protest organised by the Facts group took place at the gates on the Saturday of the Big Weekend . They were unlawfully blocked by Pride's private security guards while police officers stood and watched . The media did not report this . </P> <P> The following April (2015) the Local Government Ombudsman confirmed in a ruling what the Department For Transport (DFT) had written . Pedestrians have every right to make their way to premises (businesses and homes) where no alternative route is available . Those who buy wristbands may not be given priority over access to the streets . </P>

How old do you have to be to go to manchester pride