Margaret Owen, a 94-year-old former human rights lawyer, was arrested on September 27 during a protest outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. Owen, who is Jewish and a longtime advocate for Palestinian rights, had been participating in silent vigils for several months, displaying signs opposing what she described as genocide in Palestine.

Owen said she had repeatedly attempted to provoke an arrest by quietly holding signs that read “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” joining hundreds of other elderly protesters. Despite her efforts, including placing her sign in her front room window and alerting the Metropolitan Police, she said no action was taken until the recent demonstration. “Even if it’s behind glass, they should have arrested me,” she remarked.

At the Liverpool protest, Owen was among approximately 200 attendees, many of whom were elderly or had disabilities. She described the group as containing “a lot of white hairs,” people with crutches, and at least one individual in a wheelchair. The protesters maintained a peaceful presence, sitting quietly with placards around their necks. According to Owen, police officers moved through the crowd, taking photographs before encircling and arresting participants.

Owen recounted difficulties due to a bad back while being taken into custody, which led to her sitting in the front seat of the police van rather than the rear. She described the arresting officer as initially “cruel and vicious” but noted that when she engaged the officer in conversation, the officer’s demeanor softened. Owen said she expressed sympathy to the officer, stating, “I’m so sorry for you. This is not what you joined the police force for.” The officer reportedly became visibly more human and empathetic in response.

The protest and Owen’s arrest highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding advocacy and demonstrations related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the United Kingdom. Owen’s actions and the police response reflect the complexities faced by activists, particularly older demonstrators, seeking to draw attention to international issues through civil disobedience.