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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to press releases
PRESS RELEASE
WEDNESDAY 24 MAY 2006
BRIAN HAW SUPPORTERS GATHER TO GREET TONY BLAIR
Wednesday 24 May, 11am, Parliament Square, London
In protest against the police action of Tuesday
23 May, supporters of Brian
Haw will be gathering in Parliament Square this morning. The
gathering will
coincide with the arrival of Tony Blair to Prime Minister's Questions
in the
House of Commons.
Last Wednesday, a bell that Mr Haw had been ringing
was removed from
his possession for a short period of time which coincided with
the Prime
Minister being driven into Parliament. Despite Mr Haw being told
that this
was to "prevent the bell being used as a potential missile",
it was clear
that police were acting to prevent the Prime Minister hearing
Mr Haw use
the bell. [A]
At 3am yesterday morning the police mounted a massive
night-time operation to dismantle Mr Haw's display. They left
him with only
what
would fit into a 3 metre space. Most of his personal possessions
were also
removed. Three of Mr Haw's supporters were arrested in the process.
[B]
The police stated that they were acting to reduce
Mr Haw's display in order
that it comply with conditions set out under the Serious Organised
Crime
and Police Act 2005 under which Mr Haw has been given permission
to
continue demonstrating.
However, Mr Haw has been summonsed to appear at
Bow Street Magistrates Court on Tuesday 30 May for failing to
comply with
the
conditions and had hoped that the police would respect his display
and
refrain from taking matters further until the matter had been
heard in court.
Mr Haw considers that the conditions are totally unreasonable
and his
legal team have been considering seeking a judicial review of
the
conditions.
Mr Haw's placards and banners amounted to both
a body of material showing the injustice suffered by people,
mainly in Iraq, as
a result of this
Government's foreign policy and also a huge show of support for
Mr Haw's
stand for peace and justice by people from all corners of the
world.
In support of Mr Haw, Jenny Jones, of the London
Assembly Green Party
Group, said, “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. I have asked the Metropolitan Police Commissioner how
much
last night's police operation cost and whether this is was the
best use of
police resources given all the real problems we face with crime
and
terrorism.”
CONTACT & INFORMATION
Parliament Square Peace Campaign: 07791 486484 or www.parliament-
square.org.uk
A. See the entries for 17 May on
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/340346.html
B. http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,,1781182,00.html
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