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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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/08/27/nhunt127.xml
Grudging
respect of pavement protesters
By David Millward
(Filed: 27/08/2002)
Politically, a vast gulf separates them. But in Parliament
Square, only 6ft of pavement comes between Brian Haw's anti-war
protest and the Countryside Alliance pro-hunting vigil.
While Mr Haw arrived almost 15 months ago, his neighbours set
up camp only in May. Gradually, a feeling of grudging mutual respect
has emerged.
There are some obvious differences. Mr Haw has no shelter and
relies on his array of agitprop banners to protect him from the
wind - assuming it comes from the west.
Those on the vigil not only have banners, but large green umbrellas,
loungers and chairs. Their accommodation is, in comparison, luxurious.
Mr Haw, 56, has been a constant presence while the pro-hunting
campaigners have been working 24-hour shifts.
Yesterday it was the turn of the Cheshire Forest Hunt - fortified
by a flask of coffee, sloe gin and a bottle of whisky - to bring
its rustic rebellion to Westminster.
John Pearson, 60, from Preston, said: "I
introduced myself to him and he explained what he was campaigning
for."
He found the arguments of the cabinet maker,
who has left his wife and children in Redditch, Worcs, persuasive.
He said: "I
don't think we should be bombing anybody. We should be putting
our house in order first."
Mr Haw, a father of seven, describes his pavement
protest as a "UN
Heart Gallery". Although his plea is for peace in the Middle
East, his main target is what he described yesterday as plans for
Western genocide in Iraq.
The men from the Cheshire Forest Hunt had been told to expect
company when they joined the Countryside Alliance vigil.
Peter Heaton, 36, a textile manufacturer from
Tarporley, said: "There
should be more people around here supporting various causes."
Chris Rickett, 40, a meat wholesaler from Ellesmere,
Shropshire, had words of support for Mr Haw. "All credit
to the guy. I am full of admiration for him. They should be discussing
the war
rather than foxhunting."
A few feet away Mr Haw watched with an air of detached curiosity,
before preaching his message to a clutch of Japanese tourists.
He will not be joining his admirers on their
march. He said: "I
am not moving from the pavement. I will be here for as long as
it takes."
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