We will not be silenced, say protesters after clash with police
Oct 15 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post
CAMPAIGN groups will return to Liverpool city centre this weekend despite clashing with police and claiming their “freedom of speech” had been violated last week.
Members of around 10 groups including Keep Our NHS Public, the Socialist Party, and Stop the War Coalition say peaceful leafleting ended in a “near riot” because of the police’s action.
They say literature has been confiscated on many previous occasions and they deny anyone broke the law on obstruction or public order grounds.
They are now planning to set out their campaign stalls again this Saturday and say they will not be silenced.
Merseyside police refuted the claims that officers breached any human rights, as two people were arrested on Church Street.
The force claims officers received complaints from the public and shop owners about campaigners causing an obstruction.
It is also alleged one campaigner verbally abused an officer.
But Socialist Party member Tony Aitman, who was present last Saturday morning, said: “A huge crowd of people were gathered as this was all happening, they were very shocked.
“Over the last few months, campaigners on issues as diverse as the war in Iraq, animal rights and defending the NHS have been the subject of police bullying, with many being cautioned and arrested.
“We were peaceful but the situation rapidly turned ugly when the police came.
“The problem is the goal posts seem to move every time we set up stalls on Church Street.
“It is not made clear where we are supposed to be causing an ‘obstruction’ and no matter where we stand, we are targeted.
“On Saturday this prompted a very passionate and angry reaction, people sat down in
front of the police vans, formed a rolling blockade and otherwise tried to prevent their innocent friends being taken away.
“But throughout, no violence was committed by protesters.”
Damien Walsh, neighbourhood Inspector for Liverpool City Centre, confirmed two people had been arrested on Saturday and denies claims that action was disproportionate.
He said: “Just before 1pm Merseyside Police received a number of complaints from members of the public and from two business premises that stalls had been set up in Church Street and they were causing an obstruction.
“An officer attended the scene and pointed out to the people on the stall the obstruction and requested that the stall and its contents be taken away. A 22-year-old man continually refused to do this and failed to provide details to the officer when asked.
“He was arrested for wilful obstruction of a public highway.
“Following this arrest a 44-year-old woman, who had been on the stall, began allegedly abusing the officers verbally and started hitting the side of the police vehicle.
“She was arrested for a public order offence. Five other people were issued with summons.
“These arrests do not breach the offenders human rights.
“I refute any allegations that the police response was disproportionate and that nobody had lodged any complaints.”
The action on Saturday was organised by Liverpool Freedom of Expression, an umbrella group for many of the city’s political campaigners.
Mr Aitman added:“Liverpool Freedom of Expression was formed to defend free speech and the right to cam- paign in public places. We will continue to do this.”
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