This is the moment a Love Activist supporter was arrested after throwing sandwiches up to protesters occupying the old Bank of England building on Castle Street.
Four campaigners stood trial last week accused of refusing to leave the area when handed a Section 35 legal notice by Merseyside Police officers trying to contain the protest.
Two defendants – Ellie Longman, 19, and Ann Cawson, 58 – were both acquitted on Thursday at Liverpool Magistrates Court sparking joyous scenes.
The footage, posted on Youtube and referred to throughout the trial, shows Amanda Doyle, 27, being detained by police after attempting to throw sandwiches up to the balcony of the former bank on Castle Street in the city centre.
Moment Love Activist supporter is arrested by Merseyside Police
The Huyton woman can earlier be heard speaking to an officer, asking: “What law states I can’t feed the homeless people, please?”
Doyle also told officers: “I work. I pay my taxes, you work for me.
“I’d like to feed them, if that’s alright with you.”
Amid chaotic scenes, Doyle, whose case was adjourned this week pending a judgement by district judge next month, was pursued by police and arrested.
Prosecutors claim she ‘contributed or was at risk of contributing to harassment, alarm or distress to members of the public’.
The verdict on her case, along with that of her co-defendant Kim Scott, 39, of The Grange in Warrington Road, Chester, will be decided in four weeks time.
They both deny the charges of not complying with the Section 35 notice.
Kathryn Murray, Doyle’s pal who was filming the flashpoint, is heard on the video shouting: “Assault, assault, assault!” and then yelling: “police brutality, get your hands off her!”
PC Ian Hayhurst, who carried out the arrest, told the court how mobile phones were held in is face which he found ‘intimidating’. He also had his collar number repeatedly stated by protesters.
“Get your number, got your number,” a woman shouts, and then: “Where are you taking her? Where are you taking her?”
As Doyle, of Woolfall Crescent, is escorted to a police van, one protester says, “Shame on you,” while another shouts: “She’s getting thrown in with a load of kit bags.”
The anti-austerity sit-in started on April 18 and ended weeks later, on May 12 when police entered the premises.
Banners with the slogan United we stand, divided we fall were on show as protesters sung songs and chanted the John Lennon mantra Give Peace A Chance.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/