Student protester detained after writing on university walls

A student at Liverpool University has been detained by police after writing on the walls of the university’s library.

Students have been protesting attacks on civilians in Gaza since May, when a camp was set up in the university’s Abercromby Square. They were reportedly drawing slogans, including “Free Palestine” and peace symbols, around the Sydney Jones Library with chalk when they were approached by police officers, who warned them they could be arrested.

Witnesses said one student, Casa Walters, 21, grabbed a bottle of water to remove the writing but was held back by about 10 police officers who “put their arms behind their backs and dragged him “.

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Other protesters then tried to free the media and a politics student, with chants of “let him go”. Video footage taken at the scene showed protesters and police arguing outside the library in front of a parked police van.

Casa and another student were handcuffed and taken to a police station, with Casa later released without charge.

He said: “They never gave a reason for my arrest, they just picked me up and let me go after I gave my name and details. It was intimidation, nothing more.

“It was just chalk, they’ve been walking around the camp for the last few days. They cut down our banners yesterday, I think they were just afraid we would cause a disturbance.

“It was very aggressive and completely nonsensical. They said it was spray paint, which it clearly wasn’t. They surrounded me, grabbed me and pulled me into their van. If we are subjected to this kind of harassment, anyone it’s . I’m not paying £9,000 to be harassed and arrested at my own university.”

Another protester said: “It was chaos. Both the police and campus officers were grabbing our faces, necks and phones and pushing us against the wall. One of them punched me in the chest and tore my sweater, I can still feel it now. “

Following the arrests, students took their protest to St Annes Police Station on St Anne Street, chanting “leave them and we will go”. It is understood the other student arrested remains in custody.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “We can confirm that a man has been arrested on suspicion of obstructing police during a protest in Liverpool city center on Saturday 22 June.

“At around 11.45am, officers were in Abercromby Square where a peaceful protest was taking place, liaising with organizers ahead of the protest to help minimize disruption to the roads and ensure the safety of the public and protesters.

“A man initially believed to have used spray paint on a university building has been arrested after failing to provide his details. He was then withdrawn after providing his details and it was established that he had marked the building with chalk. A second man was detained after he was seen being obstructive and verbally abusive towards officers.

“The man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing/opposing a police officer in the performance of duty and remanded in custody for questioning.

Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies said: “We respect the right to protest and express views and our officers were in the area to ensure the safety of protesters and other members of the public, but aggressive and abusive behavior will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly .

“The vast majority of those present behaved impeccably, but one man was abusive and obstructive and was detained at the scene as a result.

“We continue to monitor the situation at Abercromby Square and where it is suspected that offenses have been committed we will not hesitate to take action.”

A University of Liverpool spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident which took place on our campus this afternoon during an open day following graffiti on a university building. We will work with campus support and police colleagues to clarify the specifics of this case. “

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