Yes, that over
7 years!
 		 


The website of Brian Haw, peace protestor
and the Parliament Square Peace Campaign, supporting Brian
and defending the right to protest near Parliament
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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?

Watch! Listen!
demonstration speeches: June 08, Oct 07

Brian's Christmas message, Dec 2006

Brian on why he continues his protest, 2005

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

about Brian's protest

summary of present situation in Parliament Square
details of other recent news including court dates
press releases
press articles
introduction to Brian's protest and timeline of events since 2001
defending the right to protest near Parliament

Introduction to Brian's protest and timeline of events since 2001

Brian has been protesting in Parliament Square since 2nd June 2001. Initially he was campaigning against the economic sanctions on Iraq and the bombing of the country by the US and UK. After 11 September 2001, he widened his focus, directing his messages of peace against the 'war on terror', the terror that the US and UK have inflicted on Afghanistan and Iraq. He protests on behalf of those innocent people who suffer and die in other countries, as our governments seek to further their own economic, military, politcial and strategic interests around the world.

photo by Dean Colmer

Brian has received extensive international media coverage and has had visitors from numerous countries as a result. Many people from the UK and from abroad have made contributions to Brian's display with their own messages of peace.

Since 2001, various authorities have tried to remove Brian. In October 2002, he won a major case in the High Court, in which the judge ruled that Brian was exercising his right to freedom of speech in Parliament Square, his placards did not constitute advertising, and that any pavement obstruction was not "unreasonable". After this landmark ruling, Brian's protest was accepted as lawful. See here

Brian has developed good relations with many parts of the police force and various senior officers have shown active support for his right to protest. However, in May 2004, increasing pressure to remove him resulted in Brian's arrest and the dismantling of his display by the police in May 2004 (it was 'returned', dumped on the pavement, the next day).

Brian, and his display, have also suffered at the hands of aggressive individuals on numerous occasions.

In 2005 the Government passed a law (the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA)) specifically aimed at removing Brian from Parliament Square. His presence is too embarrassing, too constant a reminder of their readiness to go to war and sacrifice other people's lives. The Government have also taken the opportunity to restrict everyone's right to protest within a 1km are of Parliament. See here

Shortly after the Bill was passed in April 2005, Brian decided to stand as an MP in the general election. See here

Just days before the 1 August 2005, after which Brian could be evicted under Section 132 of SOCPA that bans unauthorised protest near Parliament, a High Court hearing ruled that Brian's protest was not covered by the legislation because prior authorisation is only necessary for demonstrations that 'start' before 1 August, whereas Brian started his protest in June 2001. The law could not be applied retrospectively. See here

In December 2005 Brian was shortlisted for the Human Rights Award 2005 '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.' See here.

On 8 May 2006 the Home Office won an appeal at the Court of Appeal against the High Court ruling in July 2005. The judges ruled that Section 132 of SOCPA could be applied retrospectively and therefore does apply to Brian. Brian then applied to demonstrate under SOCPA which states that permission has to be granted. Under SOCPA, the police have the power to impose conditions on any protest to control it. The police have imposed conditions on Brian's protest that range from the unlikely to the impossible, including that he must reduce his display to 3 metres in any direction and that all items must be on display 'at a glance' and cannot be concealed by any other item. See here.

At 3am on 23 May 2006, the police mounted a massive night-time operation to remove almost all of Brian's display in order that it comply with the SOCPA conditions they have imposed. Only the placards and personal items that he managed to salvage that can fit into a 3 metre space remain. See here This was despite the fact that Brian was due to appear in court on 30 May in a hearing about the same issue.

However, in January 2007 Brian won against a charge of failing to comply with the conditions when a judge ruled that the conditions, and the delegated responsibility for making them, were unlawful. Although this means that the raid on Brian’s display must also be unlawful, the police continue to keep almost all of it under lock and key.

In January 2007 the artist Mark Wallinger installed a major work of art in Tate Britain. ‘State Britain’ consists of a complete replica of Brian’s display just before it was dismantled by police.

In February 2007, Brian was voted Channel 4’s Most Inspiring Political Figure 2007.

So, Brian remains in the Square but almost all of the placards, banners and messages that people from around the world have given him have been taken away. A group of supporters is staying with him - maintaining the right to protest against the UK Government's murderous foreign police and to resist to state suppression of free speech.

(N.B. SOCPA - the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005)

Chronology of major incidents and legal cases against Brian Haw.

See news, press releases and articles for more details.

2nd June 2001 Brian starts his protest opposite Parliament against the economic sanctions which inflicted untold suffering on the people of Iraq.

April 2002 Westminster City Council began legal proceedings under Section 149 of the Highways Act, claiming that Brian was a ‘nuisance’. The case never came to court. Costs paid by Council.

Oct 2002 Westminster Council began injunction proceedings to remove Brian’s placards for 'obstruction' and 'unlawful advertising'. The case was heard in the High Court in October 2002. Witness statements included those from Tony Benn, Bruce Kent, Caroline Lucas MEP, Jeremy Corbyn MP and Dr Salih Ibrahim. Brian won the landmark case when the judge ruled in favour of Brian’s freedom of speech and the Council was given no leave to appeal. Costs paid by Council. His protest was thereafter accepted as lawful. See here

27 January 2003 Transport Police arrested Brian at Waterloo Station, while he was sitting having a coffee, for assault. Trial dates were set on four occasions but postponed due to the prosecution not providing the necessary evidence, including the details of one of two witnesses for the defence. The case was thrown out on 29 January 2004 for abuse of court process.

Brian is now pursuing a complaint and possibly civil proceedings against the Transport Police for assault, wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.

23 April 2003 Police arrived in Parliament Square at 8pm and proceeded to crush a number of Brian’s placards. Police from Charing Cross were very apologetic and compensation of £2000 was settled upon. Brian received a letter of apology.

11 June 2003 An American working at the US Embassy attacked Brian and broke his nose. He also destroyed part of his display. No assistance was received from the police opposite his site. Brian went to hospital where he collapsed.

Brian’s inquiries indicate that the Embassy initially said they had no trace of the man but he was then arrested and bailed to appear. However, he later skipped bail and police were told he had gone away. This remains unresolved.

Summer 2003 A backbench Labour MP, Graham Allen, attempted to have a clause added to the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, then at committee stage, which would allow protestors to be removed from Parliament Square. A newspaper article suggested that he was not even aware who the protestors were. Other questions were raised in Parliament about the protestors. There was a Commons Procedure Committee call for a new law to remove him.

MPs sign Early Day Motions in support of protestors in Parliament Square.

20 September 2003 Brian was assaulted by UK soldiers and then later by an Israeli man who broke his nose again. Yet again, there was no assistance from the police and the man walked away. Brian went to hospital again.

November 2003 During the visit of George Bush to London, Brian was allowed to stay and there was no requirement on him or his placards to move, despite the heavy security around Bush and his visit to Westminster Cathedral.

9 December 2003 Brian was in hospital for 5 days for an operation on his nose.

February 2004 Newspapers report that legislation was being put forward by Downing Street specifically to ban demonstrations in Parliament Square (and aimed at removing Brian because of the political embarrassment).

March 2004 There are further questions in Parliament about protests in Parliament Square.

10 May 2004 In a midnight police operation, Brian was arrested for during a security operation and his display was dismantled and mostly removed. Coincidentally the Chinese Premier was visiting Tony Blair the next day. The display was returned, with significant damage, after the visit. Brian later overturned the charges against him. See here

3 November 2004 The Government announces legislation specifically aimed at removing Brian's protest - the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill...See here

14 December 2004 Brian wins in court against a police charge of assault. See here

30 March 2005 Brian wins appeal against conviction for 'failing to leave a cordoned area'. see here

6 April 2005 After much demonstration and lobbying by supporters of the right to protest, and criticism in Parliament, the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill was passed. Despite its serious restrictions on liberty the Bill received little debate. The law severely limits the right to protest within 1km of Parliament and around military bases. See here

21 April 2005 Brian is officially nominated as a candidate in the general election for the Cities of London and Westminster. He does not win the seat but makes a stirring election night speech. See here

29 July 2005 Days before the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) came into force on 1 August 2005, the High Court ruled that Brian's protest is not covered by the legislation because it could not be applied retrospectively.See here

December 05: Brian is one of three shortlisted for the Human Rights Award 2005 '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 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.

9 December 05: Brian is arrested for breach of the peace defending a supporter's right to visit as police threatened a young women with arrest for protesting. She was sitting with Brian as he slept early this morning. The police have generally accepted that people visiting Brian are not carrying out a separate unauthorised protest and will not be arrested. He was soon released without charge. See here. The next day he appears on the front page of The Independent.

11 Dec 05: Cindy Sheehan, who lost her son, a US soldier, in Iraq. visits Brian in the first meeting of two of the most iconic figures of the US and UK anti-war movements. See here.

26 March 06: Brian was arrested when he refused to give one of his banners to the police. The banner had been held by a supporter, Barbara, who was protesting with Brian and was arrested under SOCPA. Both were later released without charge but were 'reported' to the CPS. Throughout the process Brian refused to hand over the banner or any of his other possessions. more info

4 April 06: Among Brian's many appearances in the media, his portrait appears as Image of the Day in The Times. "I am not a lone ranger. I am not the saviour of mankind. But I do know that I am responsible. We each have a responsibilty". See opposite.

8 May 2006: The Home Office successfully appealled against Brian's exemption from SOCPA. The law banning unauthorised protest around Parliament now applies to Brian after 9 months of him being the only person in Britain who could protest without police permission near the heart of political power. The police are obliged, under SOCPA, to grant Brian permission to continue his protest but attempt to control it by imposing unreasonable conditions. See here.

23 May 2006: Police mount a massive night-time operation to remove Brian's display and reduce it to 3 metres in order that it comply with the SOCPA conditions they set. See here. This was despite the fact that Brian was due to appear in court on 30 May in a hearing about the same issue. See here for court dates.

25 May 06: Early Day Motion 2146 in support of Brian is launched in Parliament for MPs to sign. See here.

2 June 06: Brian's supporters gather to mark the 5th anniversary of his arriving in Parliament Square. See here.

30 June 06: in another victory against SOCPA, Westminster City Council grant Brian the right to use his megaphone at certain times. See here.

21 Oct 06: Brian was arrested at 5am after trying to stop a woman trashing his display, which the police did nothing to prevent. Part of his display was siezed by the police. charges were later dropped. See more.

23 Nov 06: Brian and supporters mark the 2000 days and nights for peace and justice that he has been maintaining his continuous vigil opposite Parliament. See more

11 Dec 06: Brian goes on trial, charged, under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, with failing to comply with the conditions that the police imposed on his protest in May this year. See more.

Jan 07: Brian wins against a charge of failing to comply with the conditions when a judge ruled that the conditions, and the delegated responsibility for making them, were unlawful. Although this means that the raid on Brian’s display must also be unlawful, the police continue to keep almost all of it under lock and key.

Jan 2007 the artist Mark Wallinger installs a major work of art in Tate Britain. ‘State Britain’ consists of a complete replica of Brian’s display just before it was dismantled by police. see here

Feb 2007, Brian was voted Channel 4’s Most Inspiring Political Figure 2007.


One of Brian's first displays. It details the names of children who died under sanctions in Iraq.


On the 1000th day of protest....


Portrait by Gemma Day, December 2004


The Government passes legislation to remove Brian from Parliament Square despite the fact that his protest has been accepted as lawful. Photo by Bartolomy


Brian stands as an MP in the 2005 general election. Photo by Bartolomy


Brian out canvassing in the general election, May 2005


Image of the Day The Times, 4 April 2006, "I am not a lone ranger. I am not the saviour of mankind. But I do know that I am responsible. We each have a responsibilty". Photo by Shaun Curry


Mass Lone Demo by Chris King, 31/08/06 organised by Mark Thomas. Brian is the only one allowed to use a megaphone. Copyright Chris King


Reduced but undiminished: Brian and supporters continue undeterred after the police raid on 23 May. The dead of night operation reduced Brian's display of testimony to the inhumanity of UK/US foreign policy to 3 metres long. See below. Photo by Bartolomy


Brian and Barbara Tucker, 2006. Photo by Marc Vallee

 

 

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