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
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releases
IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
8 February 2007
BRIAN HAW WINS CHANNEL 4'S MOST INSPIRING POLITICAL FIGURE
AWARD 2007
The Parliament Square peace protestor, Brian Haw,
has won the UK's Channel 4's 2007 award for the Most Inspiring
Political Figure.
Mr Haw attended the ceremony on 7 February hosted
by Channel 4, in association with the Hansard Society. He gave
a rousing acceptance speech before an invited audience of Members
of Parliament, Peers and journalists.
The award ceremony will be broadcast on Channel
4 at 7pm on Saturday 10 February and repeated on 13 February.
Mr Haw received a massive 54 per cent of all votes
cast by the public for Most Inspiring Political Figure 2007.
General Sir Richard Dannatt,
the head of the British Army, who recently said that troops should
be withdrawn from Iraq, came second with 18 per cent.
The actual political leaders amongst the nominees,
Tony Blair and David Cameron, were backed by only eight and six
per cent of the vote respectively. Other nominees were Aishah
Azmi and the Archbishop of York.
Mr Haw said, "I would like to say a
warm thank you to everyone who voted for me. This is a vote
against this government's killing, maiming, torture, stealing.
Its a vote for the children of Iraq and Afghanistan, for all
our children - our future. For truth, justice, peace and democracy
for all."
INFORMATION AND CONTACTS
The ceremony will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 7pm on 10 February
(repeated on 13 Feb).
For more information about Brian Haw see www.parliament-square.org.uk
For more information on the Channel 4 awards see:
www.channel4.com/news/microsites/P/politicalawards/index.html
NOTES
Brian Haw has been protesting opposite Parliament since 2nd June
2001. Initially he was campaigning against the economic sanctions
on Iraq and the bombing of the country by the US and UK. After
11 September 2001, he widened his focus, directing his messages
of peace against the 'war on terror' and the terror that the
US and UK have inflicted on Afghanistan and Iraq. Brian has
been the subject of many attempts by various authorities to
remove him and his display, including the introduction of a
new law in 2005 banning unauthorised demonstrations near Parliament.
Despite this, and the removal of most of his display by the
police in May 2006, he continues his vigil for peace and justice.
In January 2007 his dismantled display was meticulously reconstructed
for an exhibition by the artist Mark Wallinger at Tate Britain.
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