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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return to defend protest
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http://www.redditchstandard.co.uk/news/default1.asp?id=908
Peace protest man faces eviction
Redditch Standard, Saturday, November 06,
2004
A REDDITCH peace campaigner's protest outside the
Houses of Parliament could soon be ended through laws debated
by MPs this week.
Brian Haw, who began demonstrating against Iraqi
sanctions in 2001, has been specifically targeted in the plans,
designed to hand police new powers needed to control protests
in Westminster.
If approved, the laws would see 55-year-old Mr Haw
- who left his family in Woodrow for the vigil - evicted from
his controversial Parliament Square spot.
Armed with a collection of banners, a megaphone
and plastic sheeting for bedding, he has already survived a series
of eviction threats, most notably from Westminster City Council
in 2002.
But Commons leader Peter Hain said on Wednesday
(November 3) the extended powers were essential because campaigners
like Mr Haw were stopping elected members from going about their
business.
"There is a difficult balance to be struck
- it is a long-standing tradition in this country that people
are free to gather together and demonstrate provided they do so
within the law," Mr Hain said.
"I have exercised those rights to protest,
and would defend to the last the rights of others to do so.
"Equally, however, access to Parliament must
be maintained and those who work here should be able to do so
free from harassment."
However, opposition MPs, along with some Labour
members, voiced their concerns at the latest proposals.
Labour's John McDonnell, a long-time supporter of
Mr Haw, said: "I think he has been a hero for the past few
years, suffering throughout winters to bring to our attention
a fundamental issue, which is about peace and opposing war.
"On some objections that have been made, I
accept the integrity of members who have intervened today to raise
their concerns about nuisance.
"But some interventions and some opposition
to what he is doing have arisen because some members do not like
to be reminded of what they have done in this chamber in terms
of voting for war and deaths."
Liberal Democrat Lembit Öpik paid tribute to
how influential Mr Haw's campaign had been, and urged for it to
be allowed to continue.
"We [MPs] have the capacity to express our
views and occasionally get them reported in the media," he
said.
"A man such as Brian Haw does not have that
luxury.
"It is to his credit he has caused a debate
to take place on account of the fact that he has found an effective
means of demonstrating."
kris.kowalewski@redditchstandard.co.uk
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