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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Two iconic peace figures - Brian
Haw & Cindy Sheehan
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Cindy Sheehan is the
American mother whose son was killed in Iraq in August 2004
and who camped outside Bush's ranch in order to meet with
him. Cindy has done much to re-energise the peace movement
in the US and she has a great deal of respect for what Brian
stands for and has achieved here in the UK.
Cindy Sheehan visits Brian
11 Dec 05: The first
meeting of two of the most iconic figures of the US and
UK anti-war movements took place on Sunday 11 Dec in Parliament
Square.
Cindy, in the company of a number of other
US peace campaigners, came to see Brian as part of their
visit to the UK. It was a very moving meeting for both of
them - and others. Although the police tried to insist that
people were having a demonstration and imposed 'conditions'
on the gathering, it turned out to be a very positive experience
with the whole crowd moving up to Downing Street, singing
and chanting and a letter given in to Tony Blair after quite
a noisy while at the Downing Street entrance.
For a little film of the event see here.
For a good reports and some lovely pictures
see here
and here.
Read Cindy's report
on the meeting on her blog.
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Brian's letter to Cindy Sheehan
whose son was killed in Iraq
August 2005
Cindy,
this is a gift of love for you and your family. Brian gives us
all this gift by being the most extreme example of love I've ever
witnessed. I have transcribed his words with a tender & grateful
heart for the two of you leading us down this rarely tread path.
Judy Linehan, Military Families Speak Out
Dear Cindy and Patrick Sisters, Brothers, Mothers, Fathers,
Children,
Head high, hold your head up high head high, love you til I die!
Thus a man sang out to me, so powerfully beautifully at break
of dawn. As at Jericho, he marched round Parliament Square, a
place I've reclaimed for the People since 2nd June 2001 for 1533
days/nights now, ongoing. My message STOP KILLING OUR KIDS
As Long As It Takes for the Love of sweet Jesus, for simple humanity,
for justice, sanity, and Peace.
I've had so much pain and frustration as the days, months, and
years tick away - an unbearable urgency as the ones we were unable
to save pile up in pyramids of such precious souls of all sizes.
Now your son, Casey I am so, so sorry. Every casualty some Father's
daughter, some Mother's son.
Your child, precious as mine, regardless of colour of skin, country
you live in, race or religion, that is why I'm here, why I cannot
leave. Tell me, will the Fat person ever sing? It s a long wait,
but hey, the World has been waiting for quite some time before
I, we, took a serious interest in turning things around for the
better. You will be encouraged to hear how many are becoming aware
worldwide. Yes, the world visits me bigtime; times are a changin
yet hey! Is there a need for the likes of us to give the kiddie's
roundabout a fast, fast, fast runnin spin? We KNOW of the urgency,
don't we?
'It's The Kids Stupid', an early banner proclaimed so
with some regret I edit out most unflattering
mentions of George W Bush the cutting, acute wit would have given
you pleasure but hey sister, It's not about a worm of mass distraction.
You're hitting the same nail as me for your son, all our, all
God's children. Plus, we're not here for fun, are we?
A damn good job girl why should the callous, anti-Christian, village
idiot enjoy yet another holiday (his life is one long holiday!),
when the slaughter he triggered grows horrendously each day with
no let-up or time off at all for those suffering, dying, marked
for death, or for us bereaved. If it were the Twins, George and
Laura, how would you feel?
Sisters, Brothers, we are not alone. Remember you can't kill LOVE,
no matter how you try, can't kill LOVE it can never die! Nor need
we. Bloody painful though when a cherished one has gone before
us, when it's our child unnatural that, in the normal scheme of
things, when you can't put your arms around, kiss, cherish still
there in the heart, yet physically far out of reach, yes it hurts.
So hold your head up high my soul mates, it takes guts to reject
the usual lie that a loved one died hero for a great cause. There
will always be another cause and an endless supply of pretty ribbons
and pieces of metal medals given as an obscene exchange for a
soul above price. Always, so long as humankind foolishly place
material things above all else. Me, you we know what is of value,
and we stand up and proclaim that to the Hilltops!
Yes, there are heroes, and you are such. By your courageous stance
you affirm the value of your child, and every other casualty.
Your actions are the only way of minimizing the awful losses this
illegal, evil war cause.
We stand beside you as family, and you can be sure of our love
no matter what. Now let's help the rest to understand, sort the
mess in the quickest possible time. I don t want another day,
another child to come home in a body bag, nor do you. Well, let's
get through to the rest of our folks pretty damn quick. Amen?!
Your brother Brian, in Jesus name xxx
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