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 articles
Exclusion zone to Parliament
protests
By Ben Leapman Home Affairs Correspondent, Evening Standard
15 June 2005
Political protests are to be curbed in a half-mile
"exclusion zone" around Parliament, it
emerged today.
A map of the zone, drawn up by ministers and slipped
out in the Commons, shows that it takes in the whole of Whitehall
and the London Eye.
Inside the zone, spontaneous demonstrations, even
by a lone protester, will be banned.
Police will be able to set stringent conditions
on those who apply in advance, such as a
halfhour time limit and a ban on placards and loudhailers. Anyone
who fails to comply will face arrest. Critics denounced the measure
as a heavy-handed attack on free speech.
The measure will take full effect on 1 August. It
is being introduced under a section of the Serious Organised Crime
and Police Act, passed by Parliament this year. It was originally
intended to evict long-term peace campaigner Brian Haw from Parliament
Square, and prevent mass protests like the pro-hunt demonstration
last September.
Ministers claimed a ban on demonstrations outside
Parliament was needed to allow MPs and peers free access in and
out of the building.
But the Act gave ministers the power to draw up
an exclusion zone anywhere up to one kilometre from the Palace
of Westminster. The map of the zone reveals Home Secretary Charles
Clarke has used his new power to the full extent. The only significant
site left out of the zone is Trafalgar Square after ministers
accepted that it is a traditional venue for demonstrations.
Critics pointed out that a protest at the London
Eye could not possibly obstruct entry to Parliament. The Eye has
been targeted in the past by Fathers 4 Justice protesters. The
Liberal Democrats today demanded an emergency Commons debate,
claiming the new powers went beyond what Parliament had intended.
Lib- Dem home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said:
"Preventing people from freely voicing their opinions outside
Parliament was bad enough. What possible justification can there
be for banning spontaneous-demonstrations across such a wide area?
"Once again, this Government has shown itself
ready to play fast and loose with hardwon British freedoms."
Would-be demonstrators will be able to apply for
permission to protest in the zone from 1 July. From 1 August it
will be an arrestable offence to stage a spontaneous demonstration
in the zone without permission.
Police will give 24 hours' leeway before making
arrests, making 2 August the first date on which Mr Haw's four-year
vigil could be ended.
MPs and peers, as well as Commons officials and
the Church of England, have called for the removal of Mr Haw's
peace camp. Opponents have called his shelter and placards an
"eyesore" and complain that his loudhailer makes it
hard for MPs and their staff to work.
A Home Office spokeswoman said the exclusion zone
boundary had been drawn up in consultation with Scotland Yard,
and that three factors had been taken into account: the one-kilometre
limit in legislation, security risks, and the obstruction of MPs
and peers on their way to Westminster.
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