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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PRESS RELEASE
27 September 2002
WESTMINSTER COUNCIL SEEKS INJUNCTION AGAINST PARLIAMENT SQUARE
PROTESTER AFTER 16 MONTHS
Peace campaigner Brian Haw, who has been protesting in Parliament
Square for over a year against the economic sanctions on
Iraq, is under threat of eviction by Westminster Council.
Mr Haw started his one-man pavement protest against UK foreign
policy in June 2001 shortly after the re-election of Tony
Blair. Nearly eleven months later the Council decided that
his placards constituted a 'nuisance' and began proceedings
to remove him (1). During his round-the-clock protest, Mr
Haw, who comes from Worcestershire, has had numerous visitors
from all over the world, many leaving placards with messages
of peace, helping to create what is now a powerful display
which challenges the government’s foreign policy. The
international media have broadcast his message around the
world.
A date for the hearing of Westminster Council’s case
against him has been set for 2nd and 3rd October at Marylebone
Magistrates Court. A number of MPs and high profile public
figures including Tony Benn, Bruce Kent and Caroline Lucas
MEP, will be called in defense of Mr Haw’s rights to
protest.
In response to the Council’s attempt to dislodge him
from his site opposite the Houses of Parliament, Mr Haw commented: “Isn’t
it disgraceful that they can attempt to take away my human
rights to protest in this way. They are entitled to disagree
with me but their option is to set up along side of me with
an opposing view. They are trying to use the law to stop me
protesting against mass murder and genocide – isn’t
that perverse?”
Determined to fight for his right to protest
at the very heart of the British parliamentary system, Mr
Haw said, “I
am still here because innocents are still dying – babies
and infants – for twelve years now because of sanctions.
Iraq is already half dead and now the U.S., with British support,
is threatening to complete the murder of an entire people supposedly
to save them from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. I won’t
let them murder quietly.
“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.”
Notes
1. The order to remove Brian Haw from Parliament Square is
being brought under Section 149 of the Highways Act 1980.
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