There were scenes of chaos today at Liverpool Crown Court after five Love Activisits were jailed for occupying the old Bank of England building on Dale Street.
Two further people were arrested during the protest which spilled over from the court area onto the Strand behind, and at once point blocked the southbound carriageway during rush hour.
Police attempted to control the angry mob as they wrestled with officers and tried to climb onto a police van, which was parked outside the courts.
There were reports of eggs and tomatoes being thrown, with some chanting: “Merseyside Police are scum, scum, scum!” while others shouted: “Help the homeless!”
One man in his late fifties was dressed in a superman costume as he shouted at officers: “Feeding the homeless is not a crime! Homeless not banks!”
They waved hand-painted banners saying: “Resisting homelessness” and “Homes not Banks”.
When asked what they were fighting for, they refused to comment.
Police drag away protesters who lies in middles of road and take to van #loveprotesters @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/n01DW492Gj
— Alexandra Genova (@Alexandraaa_cg) September 17, 2015
Police wrestled with one young man as he tried to climb onto the van, he then lay in front of the wheels and shouted: “Run me over then you police scum!”
After the Police van had driven away, the mob walked from outside the court onto the Strand.
They continued to chant but the banners lay discarded on the pavement.
One young man ran into the middle of Strand Street and sat down cross-legged – refusing to be moved. Both lanes of rush hour traffic ground to a halt as cars started to back up.
As cars began to beep their horns, five police officers came to drag the young man off the road. The busy traffic was then able to resume.
The young man wrestled with police as he was put into the back of a van that was parked nearby. The activists screamed at police saying: “Shame on you! Shame on you!”
Several minutes later a police car pulled up carrying dogs. Although they could be heard barking from the boot, they were left inside.
Seven officers guarded the back of the van, which eventually drove off with the young man locked inside.
Once the police van and car carrying the dogs had driven off, the remaining activists dispersed.
Merseyside Police said they arrested two men during the protest.
A spokesperson said: “Following a disturbance near to Liverpool Crown Court today . Officers attended Derby Square following reports of a disturbance at about 4.30pm.
“At about 5.10pm it was reported a prison van was being blocked at the junction of Red Cross Street and The Strand causing temporary disruption on the southbound carriageway of The Strand. Officers attended to enable the prison van to continue.
“One male was arrested on suspicion of obstructing the highway and one male was arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a controlled drug. Both will be taken to police stations in Merseyside for questioning.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/