MASSIVE Attack frontman Robert Del Naja has been arrested on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation outside of Labour's party conference in Liverpool – the first under the tenure of Andy Burnham.
Del Naja, also known as 3D, sat outside of the ACC Liverpool on Saturday afternoon with a sign that read “I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action”.
He was later approached by police officers who told him he was being put under arrest, before carrying him away as other protesters cheered and applauded.
In the footage, Del Naja can be heard he "doesn't recognise the offence" before officers arrest him and remove him from where he was sitting. He was previously arrested in April.
His arrest comes after he published of himself, Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, and human rights barrister Michael Mansfield KC calling on Burnham to de-proscribe Palestine Action.
Hundreds are expected to take part in a further protest tomorrow with a mass, silent sign holding vigil to coincide with the opening day of Labour Party conference.
Defend Our Juries said, sharing the video of Del Naja being arrested: "Last June, Andy Burnham was on a platform with Del Naja in support of the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty, praising his ‘clarity and leadership’.
"Today, he’s having Rob arrested under the Terrorism Act for holding a piece of paper.
"Tomorrow, hundreds will replicate Rob’s brave action near the same location. Today’s arrest gives an indication that police will be making a lot of arrests tomorrow."
Annie Wimbush, 81, a psychotherapist from Suffolk who intends to hold a placard similar to Del Naja's tomorrow, said: “The proscription of Palestine Action by Starmer’s government shows a shameful loss of moral courage, a dangerous willingness to undermine free speech and manipulate the justice system, whilst in blatant violation of international law and humanitarian rights.
Opposing genocide when our government refuses to do so is not terrorism. I consider it to be a duty as a humanitarian to continue to do so until the proscription is lifted.”
Mark Record, 57, a further education worker from West Sussex added: “Unless PM Burnham de-proscribes Palestine Action and bans all UK arms exports to Israel, then his premiership as Prime Minister remains a desperate and empty rebranding of the same old failed starmerism.
It is absurd to continue to classify Palestine Action, who's intent is to prevent genocide, as terrorists. PM Burnham urgently needs to step across to the right side of history and de-proscribe Palestine Action.”
