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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releases
IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
21 APRIL 2005
PARLIAMENT SQUARE PEACE PROTESTOR TO STAND
AS MP FOR WESTMINSTER
Brian Haw, the Parliament Square peace protestor,
who has spent nearly four years in a continuous anti-war protest
vigil opposite the Houses of Parliament (1) will be standing as
an MP for the constituency of Cities of London and Westminster
in the general Election on 5 May 2005.
Mr Haw decided to stand partly in response to the
Government’s attempts to remove his protest from opposite
Parliament (2). One of their last acts before the dissolution
of Parliament was to pass the Serious Organised Crime and Police
Act which includes a number of measures which will severely restrict
protest within 1km of Parliament. Mr Haw is the main target of
this part of the Act (3).
Mr Haw, who will be standing as an independent MP
for the Parliament Square Peace Campaign, said, “I am honoured
to be nominated and glad this is officially accepted. Now I respectfully
state my case – of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“As a parliamentary candidate, I offer none
of the usual bribes or ‘pledges’. But I will give
my all as an advocate of people’s needs and rights. In me,
you have a person who has proven he cannot be bought off and who
has demonstrated actively that he gives, cares and shares with
every ounce of his being. As an MP, I would use my experience
and knowledge, gained from all the good people I have met on this
pavement, to help change the way our society is run.”
Mr Haw’s election campaign is supported financially
by numerous individuals.
Brian Haw can be visited in Parliament Square for
interviews. His manifesto can be read on www.parliament-square.org.uk/candidate.htm
Or contact info@parliament-square.org.uk, www.parliament-square.org.uk
1. Brian Haw has been in Parliament Square continuously
since 2nd June 2001 in protest against the US/UK support of economic
sanctions in Iraq, the invasion of Iraq and the on-going ‘war
on terror’.
2. On 4th October 2002 Westminster City Council's High Court proceedings
against him for obstruction of the highway were dismissed on the
grounds that Brian was exercising his freedom of expression and
assembly under the Human Rights Act.
3. The text of the Act can be read at: http://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/Page358.html
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