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4 August 2002

PARLIAMENT SQUARE PROTESTER AGAINST WAR AND SANCTIONS ON IRAQ FACES EVICTION AFTER 14 MONTHS

Peace campaigner Brian Haw, who has been protesting in Parliament Square for over a year against the economic sanctions on Iraq, is under threat of eviction by Westminster Council. Mr Haw started his one-man pavement protest against UK foreign policy in June 2001 shortly after the re-election of Tony Blair. Nearly eleven months later the Council decided that his placards constituted a 'nuisance' and began proceedings to remove him (1). During his round-the-clock protest, Mr Haw, who comes from Worcestershire, has had numerous visitors from all over the world, many leaving placards with messages of peace, helping to create what is now a powerful display which challenges the government's foreign policy. The international media have broadcast his message around the world.

A date for the hearing of Westminster Council's case against him has been set for 2nd and 3rd October at Marylebone Magistrates Court. A number of MPs and high profile public figures including Tony Benn, Bruce Kent and Caroline Lucas MEP, will be called in defense of Mr Haw's rights to protest.

In response to the Council's attempt to dislodge him from his site opposite the Houses of Parliament, Mr Haw commented: "Isn't it disgraceful that they can attempt to take away my human rights to protest in this way. They are entitled to disagree with me but their option is to set up along side of me with an opposing view. They are trying to use the law to stop me protesting against mass murder and genocide - isn't that perverse?"

Determined to fight for his right to protest at the very heart of the British parliamentary system, Mr Haw said, "I am still here because innocents are still dying - babies and infants - for twelve years now because of sanctions. Iraq is already half dead and now the U.S., with British support, is threatening to complete the murder of an entire people supposedly to save them from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. I won't let them murder quietly.

"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."

Notes
1. The order to remove Brian Haw from Parliament Square is being brought under Section 149 of the Highways Act 1980.