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Yes, that over 7 years! |
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PRESS RELEASE 5 YEARS STANDING UP TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE Friday 2 June 2006, from 5pm, Parliament Square, London This Friday will be the 5th anniversary of Brian Haw arriving in Parliament Square to start his continuous vigil for peace and justice – 1825 days and nights of witness for innocent people overseas who have suffered as a result of this government's foreign policy. Mr Haw came to what is now his famous vigil site opposite the House of Parliament on 2 June 2001 in order to protest about the effect that the UN economic sanctions on Iraq were having on the ordinary people of the country. He started with one placard and over the years his display built up to over 40 metres long. Mr Haw's placards and banners amounted to both a body of material showing the injustice suffered as a result of this Government's foreign policy and also a huge show of support for his stand for peace and justice by people from all corners of the world. Over the period Mr Haw has fought many battles in the court in order to defend his right to freedom of speech. In a landmark case in October 2002, a High Court judge ruled that any obstruction caused by Mr Haw's display was not unreasonable given Mr Haw's right to freedom of speech. Once Mr Haw's protest had been established as lawful the authorities were unable to remove him despite several further court cases. Mr Haw has also had to face abuse and aggression from those who do not respect his message of peace and justice as well as those in authority. In one incident in May 2004, the police mounted a middle of the night operation to remove Mr Haw's display, only to have to back down the following day as they had not acted legally, and return the banners and placards. The Government finally resorted to changing the law to remove Mr Haw. Section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 has become highly controversial in that it removes the presumption in favour of free speech at the very heart of power in the UK by banning all unauthorised protests in a large Designated Area, up to 1km around Parliament. Just before the law came into effect, Mr Haw won yet another case when three High Court judges ruled that the legislation could not be applied retrospectively and therefore did not apply to him. For 9 months Mr Haw was the only person in the country who was able to protest legally without authorisation near Parliament. However, on 8 May this year the Court of Appeal ruled that section 132 of SOCPA did apply to Mr Haw. Since his protest came under police control, Mr Haw has appeared in court for breaking the conditions that they have set upon his protest and will be on trial during the summer. For the meantime Mr Haw remains in Parliament Square continuing to voice his message of peace and justice. He has many, many supporters all over the world and a number of them have been staying with him since the threat to remove him became more serious. One of Brian Haw's supporters, Emma Sangster said, “We will be gathering in Parliament Square from 5pm tomorrow to celebrate Brian's courage and his achievement. He has given up 5 years of his life, day and night, for what he believes in. And we will remember why he is there – saying to the government again and again - 'not in our name'. Brian is voicing that message for so many people around the country, who were so rightly opposed to what this has been done in Iraq. And he is standing up for the freedom to say that to those who most need to hear.” CONTACT & INFORMATION
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