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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IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
Monday 11 September 2006
BRIAN HAW IN COURT ON SOCPA CHARGES THAT COULD DETERMINE THE
FUTURE OF HIS PARLIAMENT SQUARE PEACE PROTEST
Tuesday 12 September, 10am, City of Westminster
Magistrates' Court, 70
Horseferry Road, London SW1P
Brian Haw, the peace protestor who has been keeping vigil opposite
the Houses of Parliament for over 5 years, is due to appear in
court tomorrow in what could be an important case in determining
if he is able to continue his protest.
Mr Haw faces charges of failing to comply with conditions that
the police placed upon his protest in May this year under the
Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA). After the
Court of Appeal judgement on 8 May [A] which ruled that Mr Haw
was not exempt from the SOCPA regulations, the police granted
him permission to continue his demonstration subject to a comprehensive
list of conditions [B].
These conditions relate to all aspects of Mr Haw's protest including
the size of the display and the number of people present at it.
Mr Haw has said that many of the conditions are totally unreasonable,
if not impossible to comply with.
This case is believed to be the first prosecution relating to
failure to comply with SOCPA conditions. Other prosecutions under
SOCPA have been for organising or participating in unauthorised
demonstrations and there have been a number of convictions as
a result. [C]
Since Mr Haw received the summons, the police have acted to
force him to comply with the conditions by removing the majority
of his display in Parliament Square during the night of 23 May.
He has been left with an area of 3 metres within which any placards
and personal possessions and any possessions belonging to those
of his supporters must remain. [D]
Last week Mr Haw appeared in court seeking a postponement of
the trial on two grounds but were unsuccessful. Mr Haw's legal
team were seeking a judicial review of whether the conditions
imposed by police were lawful within the terms of the act, and
whether the police were within their power to remove and confiscate
Mr Haw's display before the judicial process was exhausted. There
is also a procedural matter that amongst the items confiscated
were legal documents, evidence for the defence, private letters,
etc. The fact that these items are now in the hands of the prosecution
casts doubt on the lawfulness of any trial and prevents Mr Haw
from preparing a defence.
INFORMATION
There will be a gathering in support of Brian Haw from 9.30 on
12 September outside City of Westminster Magistrates'
Court, 70
Horseferry Road, London SW1P
CONTACTS: www.parliament-square.org.uk
NOTES:
A. For more on the Court of Appeal decision see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/antiwar/story/0,,1770525,00.html
B. Whilst the SOCPA law states that organisers of protests who
apply for permission must be granted it, it allows for a wholesale
curbing of any demonstration by the application of police conditions
covering the time and duration of a protest, where it may be
carried out, the number of people attending and the noise that
can be made and the number and size of placards and banners.
It also allows for any senior police officer to change the conditions
at any point with no notice. For more information on the Serious
Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 see: www.parliamentprotest.org.uk
or www.parliament-square.org.uk/defendanalysis.htm
C. For more on SOCPA prosecutions see:
www.parliamentprotest.org.uk or
www.parliament-square.org.uk/defendaction.htm
D. For more on the dismantling of Brian Haw’s
display by the police see:
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,,1781182,00.html
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