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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releases
IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
14 December 2004
PARLIAMENT SQUARE PEACE CAMPAIGNER WINS AGAIN IN COURT
Brian Haw, the Parliament Square peace protestor,
who has spent over 3 ½ years in a continuous anti-war protest vigil opposite
the Houses of Parliament (1), had a charge of assault against him
dismissed today at Bow Street Magistrates Court. The police claimed
that Mr Haw had attempted to assault an officer yet they failed
to produce any evidence and gave conflicting accounts; the judge
was not satisfied that any attempt at assault had been made by
Mr Haw. A further charge of ‘failing to leave a cordoned
area’ was upheld against Mr Haw.
Mr Haw was arrested and his extensive protest display removed
in a sudden midnight police operation on 10 May 2004. The police
claimed there was a security threat in the area and said that a
security cordon had been imposed. When Mr Haw refused to move he
was arrested.
The counsel for the defence argued that there had been no evidence
of a cordon being properly established and that the police had,
again, given conflicting accounts. Despite the supposed security
threat the police van did not leave the scene for some time and,
just after Mr Haw's arrest, the security cordon was lifted.
In his evidence, Mr Haw said that he had not
been asked to ‘move
from a cordoned area’ and there was no cordon to be seen
on the night. In a previous incident the police had taped off the
cordoned area and he had moved outside it for the length of the
incident. Other witnesses to the events testified that the arresting
officers had been abusive and aggressive and had not explained
their actions. Despite this, the judge ruled that the word of the
police officer in this case was enough for Mr Haw to have moved.
The defence also argued that Mr Haw's protest placards were unnecessarily
removed from the site after the incident was over, with the effect
of clearing the display from the area in time for the visit of
the Chinese president the following day.
Bruce Kent, the well-known peace campaigner
and former Catholic priest, Tony Benn, the former Cabinet Minister,
and Canon David
Partridge were among those who gave evidence as to Brian’s
good character. In particular, they testified to his restraint
under continuous provocation over three years and to the seriousness
of his campaign.
Mr Haw was given a conditional discharge for ‘failing to
leave a cordoned area‘, with no court costs. However, he
sustained wrist injuries and other bruising while being put into
a police van and has filed a complaint to the police about the
incident. He will now appeal the judge’s decision to find
him guilty of ‘failing to leave a cordoned area’.
This is the latest in a long line of legal
and non-legal attempts to remove Mr Haw from his vigil in Parliament
Square. In October
2002 a landmark High Court ruled in favour of Mr Haw and his right
to protest on the site (2). Having failed to remove him so far,
Parliament is now considering legislation specifically aimed at
banning Mr Haw’s protest (3).
For more information contact:
Bindmans Solicitors: 0207 833 4433
www.parliament-square.org.uk, info"at"parliament-square.org.uk
(replace "at" with @)
Notes
1. Brian Haw has been in Parliament Square continuously since
2nd June 2001 in protest against the US/UK support of economic
sanctions in Iraq, the invasion of Iraq and the on-going ‘war
on terror’.
2.
On 4th October 2002 Westminster City Council's High Court proceedings
against him for obstruction of the highway were dismissed on
the grounds that Brian was exercising his freedom of expression
and
assembly under the Human Rights Act.
3. One of the measures in the Serious Organised Crime and Police
Bill is entitled ‘Behaviour in vicinity of Parliament’.
See http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmbills/005/2005005.htm,
page 87.
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