10/09/2003

Liberty question police action at arms fair

Civil rights group Liberty is to take legal action over the right to protest outside the arms fair being held this week in London’s docklands.

Liberty has condemned the use of legal powers granted to the police under the anti-terrorist legislation against protestors at the Excel conference and exhibition centre which is currently housing Europe’s largest arms fair. The group has pledged to help represent anyone charged under the new act.

Yesterday amid tight security on the first day of the arms fair attended by government and military representatives from around the world, dozens of protestors were arrested and many more stopped and searched apparently under the auspices of the anti-terrorist legislation.

One group the Campaign Against the Arms Trade has said that they are determined to disrupt the fair by "non-violent action".

Today two protestors who chained themselves to the light railway delayed trains for a time until police removed them.

Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the policing bill for the security operation involving 2,600 officers at the fair could run to £1 million.

(SP)

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