THOUSANDS of Liverpudlians took to the streets on Saturday in opposition to an arms fair in their city which opens this week.

The demonstration was the latest in a wave of protests which will continue on Tuesday at Liverpool’s Council-owned ACC convention centre.

Saturday’s rally was led by Liverpool Pensioners’ Convention — one of many campaign groups which have united with trade unions under the banner of Liverpool Against the Arms Fair.

Protest supporters have included former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and actor and Morning Star ambassador Maxine Peake.

The AOC Europe Electronic Warfare arms fare will feature dealers in death and destruction, including companies implicated in human rights violations in Afghanistan, Yemen and Gaza.

The fair’s 80 exhibitors will include Elbit Systems, the Israeli-owned arms manufacturer whose five British factories make drones used in attacks on Gaza.

A statement from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which is opposing the fair, said: “These firms make their money selling weapons to repressive regimes. Their weapons kill civilians.”

Trade unions, including the PCS, have warned they will boycott the exhibition and conference centre if Liverpool City Council allows the fair to go ahead.

A PCS International Committee statement said: “A number of trade unions have made clear that unless the decision to hold the digital arms fair is reversed, they will not book or attend any further events at the conference centre and a number of musicians and artists have pledged to boycott the venue, including Massive Attack.

“PCS would like to add its name to this growing list of organisations and artists.”

Liverpool’s Labour-run City Council says it cannot cancel the event, despite owning the exhibition centre and despite Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson declaring herself “appalled” by it.