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Reduced but undiminished
Brian & supporters continue undeterred after the police raid on 23 May 06. The dead of night operation reduced Brian's display of testimony to the inhumanity of UK/US foreign policy to 3 metres. See below. Photo by Haris Artemis

What's been lost!
See here for recent pictures of some of the items that were taken away by police when they mounted a massive night-time operation to dismantle Brian's display on 23 May 06. This canvas is by the well-known street artist and supporter of Brian, Banksy.

Mass Lone Demo
31/08/06 organised by Mark Thomas, pictured. Brian is the only one allowed to use a megaphone but he sometimes shares it! See how to take part in the demos here. Photo by Chris King

MPs support Brian
24 May 06: In a gesture of support, Liberal Democrat MPs Susan Kramer and Vince Cable offered a new poster (right) to Brian Haw to help replace those taken by the police. Susan Kramer said: "I have always been proud that we allow a protest in front of Parliament. It is a reminder that we live in a democracy. Brian's protest has been no threat to national security and the decision to reduce his display to insignificance is petty. If we don't  oppose  this, they will soon be removing Brian altogether. That would be a sad day for freedom of speech."	Vince Cable said: "There  is a broader issue about civil liberties. Others such as Maya Evans have already encountered a disproportionate response to their protests."
Police raid removes Brian's display 23 May 06: In a much criticised operation costing £28,000 and involving 78 police officers, Brian's display was unceremoniously dismantled with no warning in the dead of night. With the exception of a few placards and some personal possessions everything, including art works of significant value, personal items belonging to Brian and supporters, legal papers and 5 year's worth of testimony to the horrors of this government's foreign policy, was unceremoniously pushed into a huge container. Two supporters climbed on top of the container, detaining it in the Square until the morning light came to show the world just how the police operate. Three supporters were arrested. more info. Below a photo taken of the display in its entirety on 7 May, before it was dismantled by police.

Jenny Jones, GLA Green Party Gp, 23 May 06
"In my view, Brian is doing us all an amazing service. He is the visible presence of widespread opposition to the aggression on Iraq and a constant reminder to both the Blairs (PM and Met Commissioner) that this government is out of touch with the people it wants to govern. If Brian is moved, it means a loss of civil liberties that will diminish the whole of society. I have asked the Metropolitan Police Commissioner how much last night's police operation cost and whether this is was the best use of police resources given all the real problems we face with crime and terrorism."

Brian shortlisted for Human Rights Award
"For outstanding commitment to justice by maintaining constant vigil outside parliament demanding respect for the human rights of those in other countries. For tireless and passionate defence of freedom of speech."
The 2005 award is organised by the human rights campaigning organisation Liberty and Justice and The Law Society and is sponsored by the Bar Council. See here.

The heroic Brian Haw
Letter in The Independent, 2 Aug 05
Sir: Brian Haw has struck a major blow for international peace in his passive defiance of government aggression in the face of his peace protest (report, 30 July). I cannot think of anyone who has sacrificed as much as he has on a personal level in the cause of peace in this country and I would like to see him being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Andrew Stephenson, Newhaven, East Sussex

John McDonnell MP, Commons debate,7/02/05
'The Government will be passing power to one part of the state to control demonstrations in a way that we have never known before in the history of this country. Tonight, we are seeing a small but significant part of our democratic tradition being chiselled away. Why? Because one person out there has the moral authority, the guts, the tenacity and the courage to stand in Parliament square for several years telling us what we did wrong in this House by authorising a war. Part of the motivation behind this legislation is that some people cannot come to terms with the illegality and immorality of their actions in this place. We should be supporting that democratic voice out there, and the right of that individual to voice his concerns in this way—near to us.

Mark Thomas, comedian and campaigner
" ...Now they wish to evict Brian from his place of protest. Maybe because he is an embarrassment to such a war mongering government. Whatever their reason it is wrong. A democracy that can not stand one man and some placards outside its front doors doesn't seem to have much faith in itself. That is why I support Brian for Parliament."

No to war, no to occupation
Invest in Caring Not Killing! Support for Brian every Wednesday 5.30-7pm in Parliament Square organised by the Global Women's Strike.

current news

See here for the latest on what is happening in Parliament Sq and more detailed news

Mar 08: Brian nominated for Muslim News Awards for Excellence. see more

4-7 Feb 08: Brian's peace walk to Oxford and participation in the Oxford Union debate on 'This House Would Under No Circumstances Fight For Queen And Country'. See more. Watch a video of the speech: part 1 part 2

17 Jan 08: Deadline for responses to the government consultation on 'Managing protest around Parliament'. Please respond! This document poses a significant new threat to freedom of assembly across the UK. Tell the government you want the ban on authorised protest around Parliament (SOCPA) repealed and no new restrictions on rights to protest. see details here - including analysis of the consultation document and suggestions of how to respond.

12 Jan 08: Brian assaulted and arrested in unprovoked attack by police while observing SOCPA demo outside Downing Street. see details. Morning Star front page (pdf) BBC

3 Dec 07: Mark Wallinger wins Turner Prize 2007. Congratulations to Mark for winning the prize, as he says, 'for State Britain'. See the Channel 4 report.

29 Oct 07: Brian Haw v Sir Ian Blair at Southwark Crown Court, 11am. see press release.

25 Oct 07: Home Offices launches consultation about protests around Parliament - lets get SOCPA repealed! See the consultation here and respond.

17 Oct 07: GLA removes peace camp tents from Parliament Square. see press release. See 'What exactly has Ken got against Brian Haw?' by Andrew Gilligan, Evening Standard, 25.10.07

24 July 07: Sir Ian Blair in court! A magistrate has issued a summons to the Metropolitan Commissioner for theft of Brian's display when it was dismantled and taken away by the police on 23 May 2006. Come to court on 24 July to support. Check Indymedia for more details.

Is Gordon Brown going to repeal SOCPA? - read an analysis here.

Sunday 17 June, Renoir Cinema, London, 12 noon: World Premiere of 'SOCPA - the movie' Rikki Blue's new film about the restrictions on protest around Parliament and how people have challenged the controversial law. To be shown with 'Brian Haw: Peace Campaign' 2007, 25 min, Red Hill Films: A short film bringing to life the story of Brian 6 year long continuous peace protest opposite Parliament in London. The discussion panel will include Brian and Rikki Blue and others. more info and to book online

Saturday 2 June 07: Join us to mark Brian's 6 years of peace protest opposite Parliament. We will be having a gathering in Parliament Square from 2pm on Saturday 2 June. Please bring some food and drink to share. This will not be a protest!

4 Mar 07: Watch The South Bank Show on the artist Mark Wallinger - featuring Brian and the recreation of his display for the State Britain show at Tate Britain. See here.

Brian wins Channel 4's Most Inspiring Political Figure Award 2007!
7 Feb 07: Brian won 54% of the vote!! see here for details of the award. See article. Watch the broadcast of the award ceremony.

Brian wins important case against SOCPA
22 Jan 07: The judge found that the conditions imposed on Brian by the police under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act were not sufficiently clear for Brian to comply. He also found that the Metropolitan Commissioner should not have delegated responsibility for the conditions. see here for more details. Watch BBC news item with Brian's solicitor

'STATE BRITAIN' Brian at the Tate On 15 Jan 07, Tate Britain in London unveiled a major art commission by the renowned artist Mark Wallinger. The show, entitled 'State Britain', consists of a recreation in all its glorious detail of the entirely to Brian's display just before it was dismantled and removed by police on 23 May 06. see here for more including press articles, images, video etc Mark Wallinger State Britain 2006 Photos: Sam Drake © Tate 2006 See Tate website for more images.

Write to your MP asking them to support Public Demonstrations (Repeals) Bill see more

Ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 335, calling for an Immediate Withdrawal from Iraq see more

Listen to Brian's Christmas message, December 2006

Brian to speak at Reclaiming our Rights conference
2 Dec 06: Brian spoke at a conference at London Metropolitan University, sharing a platform with eminent speakers on a range of civil liberties issues including: Gareth Peirce, Mark Thomas, Craig Murray, Mark Muller, Bill Bowring, Nafeez Ahmed. See more. Watch video of speeches from Brian and Mark Thomas.

Brian on his 2000th day and night in Parliament Square. Photo by Marc Vallee Brian Haw - 2000 days and nights for peace and justice! 23rd Nov 06 was the 2000th day and night that Brian has maintained his continuous vigil opposite Parliament for peace and justice for the people of Iraq. There was a gathering of supporters to mark this extraordinary achievement in the face of numerous attempts to silence his public criticism of this government's foreign policy. Speakers included John McDonnell MP; Jenny Jones, Green Party Member of the Greater London Authority, representatives from Liberty and Global Women's Strike and others. Read press release, read a report

see here for older news