This is the moment a group of protesters drove around a school in Liverpool and shout at students through a megaphone not to get tested for Covid or they will be locked down for Christmas, before confronting the headteacher and the army.
The video that was uploaded to Youtube, was recorded outside Calderstones School in south Liverpool, one of the sites of a mass coronavirus testing operation which is being piloted in the city.
The footage shows the group driving around the school with a megaphone, shouting at pupils and telling them not get tested, before harassing the school’s headteacher and members of the armed forces helping out on site.
The video that was uploaded to Youtube, was recorded outside Calderstones School in south Liverpool, one of the sites of a mass coronavirus testing operation which is being piloted in Liverpool
In the video, the man filming says, ‘Liverpool is the worst place in the world right now’ and adds, ‘Anybody who believes this Covid-lie, this Covid-fraud…’
Two women in the car can be seen shouting at children entering the school through a megaphone, telling them not to get tested.
They also shout: ‘If you get tested in school they’re going to lock you down for Christmas.’
At one stage in the video, the group surround the school’s headteacher.
The man can be heard stating: ‘If you are the headteacher, we will put you on notice, if anything happens to these children getting tested for Covid-19 – absolute disgrace, this will be going further.’
The footage shows the group driving around the school with a megaphone, shouting at pupils and telling them not get tested, before harassing the school’s headteacher and members of the armed forces helping out on site
The actions of the group have been widely condemned by parents and pupils at the school as well as city leaders and the wider Liverpool public.
Many people described their behaviour as ‘intimidating’ and said they should not be filming school pupils and uploading footage to the internet.
Merseyside Police has issued a statement on social media to say they are investigating the video.
A spokesman said: ‘We are aware of a video that has been circulated on social media regarding people outside Calderstones school in south Liverpool today, Tuesday 10th November.
‘The matter is currently being investigated. Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call 101.’
Earlier today, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson called on the police to investigate.
He said: ‘They are harassing school staff, intimidating and shouting at kids, their behaviour is totally unforgivable and I would like to see the police respond.
‘No children are being forced to have a test, they will only have one if their parents or carers give consent – no one in Liverpool is being forced to have a test.
‘We know that the overwhelming majority of people in Liverpool are supportive of this project and want to see it be a success.’
He added: ‘I’m not sure where these people are from but they didn’t appear to know where they were and they are not representative of the people of this city.’
Calderstones parent Angela Collinson said: ‘I am angered by the behaviour of these people who clearly have no connection to Calderstones School or any children who attend.
At one stage in the video, the group surround the school’s headteacher. The man can be heard stating: ‘If you are the headteacher, we will put you on notice, if anything happens to these children getting tested for Covid-19 – absolute disgrace, this will be going further’
‘The parents were emailed to ask them to fill in a consent form if they wanted their child to be tested.
‘The head teacher and in fact all the teachers have been absolutely brilliant during this incredibly difficult time and communicate with parents regularly.
‘These idiots are in fact that and like someone pointed out, if they had a child who needed an emergency operation but had to have a covid test before proceeding, would they say no and spout their conspiracy theory rhetoric? I’m fuming.’
On Twitter, Jo Fairclough said: ‘Fuming. This is my daughter’s school and this headteacher is one of the best headteachers I’ve met.
‘He does everything with the best interests of the students at heart and has handled the whole covid situation excellently.
‘What a bunch of absolute idiots, unbelievable.’
Calderstones School pupil Eva Breslin pointed out the lies being trotted out by the filming group, as she took to social media to criticise their behaviour.
She said: ‘Ignorant, selfish people deciding to shout at kids.
‘People are dying. As a Caldies student I can say no-one is forced to take the test, but most people have decided that trying to stop the spread of a virus and save lives is the right choice. Maybe try it.’