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Merseyside Police Versus Freedom Of Speech

Liverpool Indymedia | 11.10.2008 17:44 | Repression | Social Struggles | Liverpool

An entirely legal demonstration in solidarity with international Freedom Not Fear day was disrupted and halted in Liverpool this afternoon, and two arrests were made, provoking an astounding show of anger from the public.

14:00pm, public surrounding officer 8452 demand he release two arrestees.

Help! We're being repressed!
Over the past year, activists in Liverpool have been the victims of increasing police harassment and attempts to curtail our free speech. After the arrest of Socialist Party member Tony Aitman for ‘wilful obstruction’ on August 30th, Nerve magazine organised a campaign to unite all local protest groups against this police repression.

As today was Freedom Not Fear day, it was designated Liverpool Freedom Of Expression’s first day of action, and ten protest groups simultaneously set up their stalls in Church Street. However, the police soon swooped, and began confiscating materials. Disgusted passers-by quickly became involved, and shouts of “let them out”, “you're a disgrace” and “free speech” could be heard. Around a dozen forceful police eventually made two arrests.

Come and see the violence inherent in the system!
Liverpool Freedom Of Expression will be back soon, believing the only freedom we have is the freedom we struggle to win and defend.

More pictures and video can be seen here and here and here and here.

Previous Indymedia reports
Liverpool Vigil To Support Freedom Of Protest
Demonstration Defends Freedom Of Protest
Freedom to Express: Sat 11 Oct

Freedom Not Fear Day
Liverpool stands up to police repression against campaigners
Free Speech Crushed In Liverpool! Arrests Made!
Stalling Tactics Win A Victory for Freedom of Expression
More pics of Merseyside Police Versus Free Expression Liverpool Police and Antisocial Behaviour

Flickr Photoset
Liverpool Echo debate
YouTube clip 1
YouTube clip 2
Daily Post: We will not be silenced, say protesters after clash with police
Indymedia Ireland: Police Repression in Liverpool Results in Random Arrests

Liverpool Indymedia

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Display the following 12 comments

What were charges?etc — Green syndicalist
Yep... — Freedom Not Fear
fixed penalty notice? — ..
Are you exempt from abiding to the law? — Katherine
What law? — campaigner
... — Katherine
The police can't just ask you to move a stall, but sometimes they do — campaigner
What laws? — Anti Policestate
Why do people just shout? — Freeness
How to support the complaint? — Alex
Repression — Anon
The above photographs are my copyright, I took them... — Kai Andersen

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Merseyside Police Versus Freedom Of Speech

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