Gaza campaigners protest outside MP's Bournemouth home

9 months ago 41

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Campaigners calling for a ceasefire in Gaza staged a protest outside an MP's constituency home.

Dozens of people holding banners and Palestinian flags gathered outside the house of Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood on Monday evening.

Dorset Police said officers attended but no arrests were made and the protesters left by 20:50 GMT.

Mr Ellwood, who is believed to have been at home with his family at the time, declined to comment.

Sky News said the MP had told presenter Kay Burley that between 60 and 80 people gathered outside for a number of hours while he and his children were indoors.

The following day, organisers issued a statement saying the protest was "entirely legal" and in response to the Israeli bombing of Rafah... "the place of shelter for more than 1.6 million refugees".

They said they wanted Mr Ellwood to call for "an immediate and unconditional ceasefire" in Gaza.

A Dorset Police spokeswoman said: "Officers attended the scene and liaised with the organisers to ensure people could exercise their right to protest legally and safely without causing significant or ongoing serious public disorder, serious damage or serious disruption to the community.

"We respect people's right to lawful protest. However, we have a duty to ensure those involved act within the law and ensure the local community can go about their lawful activities."

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