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From The Socialist newspaper, 19 October 2021
Liverpool arms fair: Hundreds of protesters defy police 'dispersal zone'
Protesting at Liverpool arms fair. Photo: Liverpool SP (Click to enlarge)
Roger Bannister, Liverpool Socialist Party
Just hours before the Electronic Warfare event was due to open in Liverpool, Merseyside police set up a 'dispersal zone', covering the two days of the event. It gave the police the power to order people to leave the area, under threat of arrest. Police also have the power to seize people's property in the 'zone'.
This draconian action is not, as a police spokesperson claimed, to deal with "behaviour supposed to pose a threat to the safety of others". Instead, it's to protect the merchants of death, the military top brass and leaders of oppressive regimes, and keep their arms fair free from protest. They pose a murderous threat to the safety of others!
Despite the police action, several hundred people gathered in the half light at 7am and marched towards Exhibition Centre. The protesters held an impromptu rally when the police would not allow us to proceed any further.
Socialist Party member Dave Walsh is chair of the Liverpool Trades Union Council. When he spoke, he pointed out that all the Labour councillors in the city had voted for the arms fair.
The arms fair has been opposed by trade unions including Unite, the National Education Union (NEU) and Unison. The Tory party conference announced further restrictive measures on the right to protest in response to Insulate Britain blocking motorways. But it is clear that such repression will be directed against working-class and left-wing organisations.
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In The Socialist 19 October 2021:
News
Fight for a socialist recovery
Container delay carnage makes the case for socialist planning
Socialist nationalisation not bailouts for the bosses
Workplace news
University workers ballot for strike action
Unite and fight for 30,000 permanent DWP jobs
Gwent valleys Stagecoach bus drivers strike for fair pay
Reinstate Gary Evans! Llanelli postal workers strike
Napo AGM 2021: Union placed on war footing
Scunthorpe scaffs strike for pay
People's budgets
People's Budgets - a socialist answer to cruel cuts
Brighton bin workers' victory in sight
Fight to defend homelessness services
Ealing People's Budget - cuts can be resisted
Northampton People's Budget - cuts and privatisation is a failed strategy
Fighting the cuts at the ballot box in Liverpool
Fall of apartheid
The fall of Apartheid in South Africa
Climate change
COP26: Trade unions must fight for a socialist transition to renewables
Save the planet from capitalist climate catastrophe
International
Austria: Chancellor Kurz resigns amid allegations of corruption
Obituary
Obituary - Tony Davison: "I work for Militant, but Laing's pay my wages"
Campaigns
"Are you the socialist cabby?"
Housing crisis: Tories and Labour are not on our side
Liverpool arms fair: Hundreds of protesters defy police 'dispersal zone'
Hackney children's centres - more education cuts are devastating
Biggest protest yet to save Stratford Circus
Doncaster: Vigil condemns violence against women
Readers' opinion
I'm unemployed: For me vacancy crisis is a lie
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2021