Police refuse to apologise for arresting innocent Gaza convoy drivers

Lancashire police have refused to apologise for their politically motivated arrest of nine activists taking two vehicles packed with aid for the people of Gaza as part of the Viva Palestina convoy.

At a packed community meeting last night in Blackburn Chief Superintendent Andy Rhodes, of Lancashire Constabulary claimed they had 'acted in the best interests of the community', according to Lancashire Telegraph reporter Ben Briggs.

The arrests took place on the M65 the day before the convoy was due to depart. Three of the nine were held for a week, only to be released with no charge.

The police released no information about the 'intelligence' they were acting upon, fueling suspicions that the arrests were designed to associate the Palestinian movement with terrorism, thereby undermining the aid efforts.

Fortunately the convoy was a great success despite the police and the BBC refusing to show the DEC humanitarian appeal for Gaza.

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