CAMPAIGNERS are taking to the streets of Liverpool on Saturday in protest at a forthcoming “electronic warfare” arms fair, which opponents have dubbed a gathering of “merchants of death.”

The AOC Europe 21 arms fair, which takes place from October 11-13 in Liverpool’s council-owned Arena and Convention Centre (ACC), has sparked a storm of political protest in the city.

Groups and individuals opposing the event have formed a coalition under the banner Liverpool Against the Arms Fair and will be taking part in today’s protest, which assembles at Princes Park at 11.30am and outside the Catholic cathedral at 12.30pm.

In solidarity with the protests, famed left-leaning band Massive Attack cancelled an upcoming event at the ACC exhibition centre today.

Welcoming the action, Liverpool Against The Arms Fair said: “There are clearly big consequences to refusing to cancel this event. The pressure is building.”

Liverpool MPs have called for the fair to be dropped and have signed an early day motion (EDM) to the House of Commons.

The EDM has been tabled by West Derby MP Ian Byrne and signed by Walton MP Dan Carden, Wavertree MP Paula Barker, Riverside MP Kim Johnson and others.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is expected to attend.

Liverpool City Council has said it does not have the power to cancel the arms fair even though it is taking place in a council-owned building.

A protest is also set to take place tomorrow against next week’s DSEI arms fair in London. Protesters will assemble at 1pm at Forest Lane Park E15.