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
Saturday 13 May 2006
BRIAN HAW SUPPORTERS TO GATHER IN SOLIDARITY
WITHIN PROTEST EXCLUSION ZONE
SUNDAY 14 MAY, 12 noon, PARLIAMENT SQUARE
Supporters of Brian Haw, the Parliament Square peace
protestor, will gather this Sunday in Parliament Square to show
solidarity with him and to celebrate his achievement of speaking
out against the government’s foreign policy on Iraq for
nearly 5 years. [A]
Earlier this week the Home Office won its appeal
against a High Court judgement last year that Section 132 of Serious
Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA), which bans unauthorised
protest in a large area around Parliament, could not be applied
retrospectively and therefore did not apply to Brian. [B] This
has now been overturned at the Court of Appeal ruling on 8 May
06 and the law does now apply to Brian. [C]
However, Mr Haw still remains with his display in
Parliament Square. After the judgement on Monday, Mr Haw was given
permission by the police to continue his protest and they issued
him with a list of conditions with which he must comply. The very
comprehensive conditions include a limit of 3 metres on the size
of Mr Haw’s display and that no article can conceal or contain
other items, and they must be arranged in such a way that it is
possible to tell at a glance that there are no suspicious items.
As Mr Haw has not as yet complied with these conditions he has
been reported to the Crown Prosecution Service and they will decide
what action to take.
Maya Evans (26) - who recently became the first
person to be convicted under SOCPA – will be attending the
event. She said, “We expect a large number of people to
gather on Sunday which will reflect just how much support Brian
has. He has continued to stand day and night for what he believes
in and for what many, many people believe in. He may be alone
on this pavement most of the time, but he is not alone in spirit.”
INFORMATION AND CONTACTS
Contact: www.parliament-square.org.uk
NOTES:
A. Brian Haw started his continuous vigil opposite Parliament
on 2nd 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.
B. For more on the High Court ruling, 29 July 2005:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4725907.stm
C. For more on the Court of Appeal judgement, 8
May 2006: http://www.guardian.co.uk/antiwar/story/0,,1770145,00.html
D. Under the new Serious Organised Crime and Police
Act (April 2005) anyone wishing to demonstrate within 1km of Parliament
must apply to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner at least 6
days in advance or, if not "reasonably practicable",
24 hours in advance. Permission must be granted but the Commissioner
can impose draconian conditions on the protest including: when
and where it can take place; how long it can last; how many people
can attend; how much noise can be made; and the number and size
of banners and placards used. In addition, any senior police office
can change the conditions with no notice.
E. See 'MPs condemn arrest of woman who spoke out'
(Daily Mail, 9 December 05) and 'Acts of defiance against war
turned ordinary people into criminals' (Independent, 8 December
05).
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