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
Wednesday 22 November 2006
BRIAN HAW: 2000 DAYS AND NIGHTS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
Parliament Square Peace Protestor supporters gather to mark historic
achievement
Thursday 23 November 2006, Parliament Square, 5.30-7.30pm
Supporters of Brian Haw will gather tomorrow to
mark the 2000th day of his
continuous peace vigil opposite the Houses of Parliament.
Mr Haw arrived in Parliament Square on 2 June 2001
to protest about the
suffering being caused in Iraq by UN economic sanctions at a
time when
the invasion and occupation of the country were unforeseen.
Over
five years later, with the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq,
the war on
terror, the continuing military occupation of both countries
and the
associated injustices, Mr Haw continues to demand peace and
justice for
'our neighbours children' and an end to the UK's foreign policy
which has
caused such devastation in the region for many years.
Over the five years there have been many attempts
by the authorities to
remove Mr Haw and silence his dissent. A landmark case in October
2002
established Mr Haw's protest as lawful when a High Court judge
ruled that
any obstruction caused by Mr Haw's display was not unreasonable
given
his right to freedom of speech. [A]
The Government finally resorted to bringing in
a controversial new law to
remove Mr Haw although court challenges and public support mean
that he
has been able to continue his vigil. [B]
Among those celebrating Mr Haw's stand will be
John McDonnell MP,
Jenny Jones of the Greater London Assembly Green Party Group
and
representatives from Liberty. [C]
Jenny Jones said, "Brian represents
all of us who oppose the war. His
brave vigil in Parliament Square is a protest on behalf of the
hundreds of
thousands who know the war is unjust, illegal, and unwinnable."
CONTACTS & INFORMATION
There will be speakers at around 6.30pm.
NOTES
A. For further information, including a timeline of events during
Brian Haw's
2000 days in Parliament Square see:
http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/about.html
B. Section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and
Police Act 2005
(SOCPA) bans unauthorised demonstrations in a Designated Area,
up to
1km around Parliament. See www.parliamentprotest.org.uk for more
details.
C. John McDonnell MP is fighting the leadership of the Labour
party.
www.john4leader.org.uk
He has supported Brian Haw in the House of Commons on many
occasions: http://tinyurl.com/yfd2w9
For Liberty's commentary on SOCPA and Brian Haw see:
www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/issues/6-free-speech/socp-act/
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