As long as it takes
"I want to go back to my own kids and look them in the face again knowing that I've done all I can to try and save the children of Iraq and other countries who are dying because of my government's unjust, amoral, fear - and money - driven policies. These children and people of other countries are every bit as valuable and worthy of love as my precious wife and children."
How many must die?
Brian started his 24/7 vigil in 2001 to protest about the suffering of Iraqis during the 1990s because of economic sanctions. He continues because of all those who have, and continue, to suffer as a result of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. In Oct 2004 The Lancet estimated that 100,000 Iraqis have died. In Oct 2006 it was estimated that 655,000 people have died in Iraq as a result of the 2003 invasion (see more here). And how many millions of other lives have been blighted for ever?
Send Brian a postcard of support c/o Parliament Square, London SW1A
This photo was taken by Gemma Day in Dec 04 for an Independent on Sunday article. See all media articles
Mark Thomas, comedian and campaigner, 2004
" ...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."
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
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."
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.
John McDonnell MP
'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.
Commons debate in Feb 05 on the passing of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) which banned unauthorised protest near Parliament. See more
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Sunday 14 May 2006, 12 noon: gathering in solidarity
with Brian Haw
After the Home Office won its appeal on
8 May, the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA)
does now apply to Brian. Although Brian is still in Parliament
Square, the police now have his protest in their control along
with everyone elses!
PEOPLE WILL GATHER ON PARLIAMENT SQUARE ON SUNDAY
14 MAY AT 12 NOON
TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH BRIAN AND TO CELEBRATE
HIS ACHIEVEMENT OF SPEAKING OUT 24/7 FOR NEARLY 5 YEARS.
Lets all come together to show just
how much support he has - that he is not alone!
Brian masks will be provided. You could
bring: placards and banners in support of Brian, food and drink,
festive activities....
RISK OF ARREST
There will be some risk of arrest at this gathering if the police
decide that a demonstration is taking place. If they decide to
call it something else or there are enough media and enough people
down there then they may not arrest, but everyone should be forewarned.
See
here for details regarding the legal situation and what do to
if you are arrested.
BACKGROUND ON BRIAN
AND THE LAW BANNING UNAUTHORISED PROTEST
NEAR PARLIAMENT
Brian Haw started his continuous vigil opposite Parliament
in June 2001 to protest against the economic sanctions that were
having such a disastrous effect of people's lives in Iraq. He
has continued to protest against invasion and occupation of Afghanistan
and Iraq. His display shows the injustice and horrors that have
been suffered as a result of our government's foreign policy.
Brian's message has gone out globally and people visit him from
all over the world. Many have left messages of peace that now
form part of his display.
Just before the law (which was initiated in order
to silence Brian's protest) came into force in August 05, the
High Court made a judgement that was highly embarrassing for the
Government - that Section 132 of SOCPA which bans unauthorised
protest in a large area around Parliament could not be applied
retrospectively and therefore did not apply to Brian. This has
now been overturned at the Court of Appeal ruling on 8 May 06.
Brian will be seeking leave to appeal to the House
of Lords and in the meantime will be continuing his protest under
SOCPA terms. The law states that authorisation for the demonstration
has to be given but that a whole range of conditions may be imposed
by the police. It is these conditions that could deal the final
blow for Brian's protest.
Amongst other conditions, the police are suggesting
that Brian's protest be limited to 3 metres in any dimension -
a massive reduction which would strip away most of the display.
If Brian fails to compile with this he will be arrested.
Also SOCPA allows any senior
police officer at the site to change the conditions with immediate
effect. So they could remove him altogether at some later point
with almost no notice.
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