Liverpool Protest Arrests More Than 50 as Palestine Action Supporters Target Labour Conference

More than 50 people were arrested during a pro-Palestine Action demonstration outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, after protesters displayed placards supporting the banned organisation.

The protest took place on Sunday, 27 September, as the Labour Party conference began in Liverpool. More than 250 demonstrators gathered outside the conference venue, with many holding handmade signs stating: 'I support Palestine Action.'

Police officers told demonstrators that displaying signs supporting a proscribed organisation could lead to arrest. Officers then began taking protesters away under the Terrorism Act after asking whether they intended to continue holding the placards.

Police Make Arrests Outside Conference

The arrests continued for several hours as officers dealt with the demonstration outside the Labour conference. The demonstrators applauded as individuals were led away by police, while chants of 'free, free Palestine' could be heard among the crowd.

Merseyside Police said arrests were made during the protest, with the force's account providing details of the operation and the number of people arrested.

The demonstration was organised by Defend Our Juries and focused on opposition to the proscription of Palestine Action. The group hoped that Prime Minister Andy Burnham would 'bin the ban' and called for action.

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said organisers had hoped Burnham would reverse the ban, describing the proscription as 'illogical, unsustainable and immoral.' The spokesperson also said hundreds of people, including teachers, pensioners and healthcare workers, were prepared to be arrested to protest against what the organisation described as UK complicity with Israel.

Amnesty Criticises Arrests

The arrests drew criticism from Amnesty International UK. Kerry Moscogiuri, chief executive of Amnesty International UK, said: 'Protesting is one of the most effective tools we have to make our leaders listen to us, but we have seen consecutive governments crackdown on our right to do it.'

She described the arrests of protesters holding placards outside the Labour conference as a 'truly shameful attack on freedom of speech.' Moscogiuri also called on the new prime minister to reform laws relating to demonstrations, asking whether he would take action.

The Independent reported that the protesters included grandparents, teenagers and others from different age groups.

Protest Takes Place as Conference Begins

The demonstration coincided with the opening of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, bringing the protest directly outside the venue where the political event was taking place.

Many protesters held signs declaring support for Palestine Action, which is described as a banned group. Police told demonstrators that the signs amounted to support for a proscribed organisation before making arrests under terrorism legislation.

Defend Our Juries said the protest was intended to challenge the continued proscription of Palestine Action and pressure the government over its position. The organisation also referred to allegations of war crimes and genocide in Gaza in its statement, while calling for an end to what it described as UK support for Israel.

The protest and arrests, which extended over hours, took place as Labour's conference got under way in Liverpool. Merseyside Police says the operation was ongoing and further updates would follow.