AMERICAN Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is facing increasing opposition to her visit to Liverpool.
Anti-war protesters staged a demonstration against the planned visit by Ms Rice, who has been invited by the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, as local unions outlined their opposition to her visit.
On Saturday, as members of the North West TUC voted against the visit, Merseyside Stop the War Coalition were protesting around Liverpool city centre and outside the Philharmonic Hall wearing Guanatamo Bay-style orange jumpsuits, and T-shirts reading: "No Scouse for Rice" and "Leave the Iraqi People Alone (LIPA)", a reference to the planned visit to Sir Paul McCartney's fame school.
Audrey White, who organised the protest, said it was intended to remind people of the crimes she claims Condoleezza Rice committed in the Iraq War.
Pressure has also been put on Liverpool's artistic community to pull out of events organised in honour of the Secretary of State, often regarded as the most powerful woman in the world.
Anti-war protesters have written letters urging the city's musicians to refuse to play in a concert where the US Secretary of State will be guest of honour, at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall later this month.
Ms White said: "The protest was intended to appeal to employees at the Phil and those invited to the concert to boycott the event."
WHAT do you think about Condoleezza Rice's visit to Liverpool? Have your say on our messageboard here...
News RSS Feed