More Than 160 Arrested or Summonsed at Pro-Palestine Protest Outside Labour Conference
Merseyside police arrested or reported for summons more than 160 people at a pro-Palestine demonstration outside the Labour party conference in Liverpool on Sunday. Activists also confronted foreign secretary Ed Miliband during the event.
More than 160 people were arrested or reported for summons during a pro-Palestine demonstration outside the Labour party conference in Liverpool on Sunday, according to Merseyside police.
Police said 82 people were arrested on suspicion of wearing or carrying items supporting a proscribed organisation. They were taken into custody and later released on bail. A further 79 people were reported for summons.
The protest was organised by the group Defend Our Juries. Dozens of demonstrators sat outside the conference venue, many holding handmade banners expressing support for the banned group Palestine Action. Police estimated around 180 people attended and noted that not everyone present had committed an offence. The organisers claimed more than 200 people took part.
Confrontation with the foreign secretary
Two activists confronted foreign secretary Ed Miliband during a meal at a Pizza Express in Liverpool city centre, questioning him about the arrests. Footage showed one protester urging him to declare a genocide in Gaza and to de-proscribe Palestine Action. Miliband said he was willing to discuss the matter, but at another time, before the protesters were ushered out.
This year's arrest total is 16 higher than at a similar protest during last year's Labour conference, also held in Liverpool.
Merseyside police said it respects everyone's right to protest lawfully while working to keep the peace and ensure public safety, adding that detailed plans were coordinated with event organisers and security providers ahead of the conference.
Defend Our Juries said Miliband had told party members inside the conference that campaigners were right to pressure the government over Gaza, calling it hypocritical that people taking a stand against what they describe as genocide are still being arrested as terrorists. The group said those arrested included 94-year-old human rights barrister Margaret Owen.
