Brian Haw's brave 5 year demonstration at risk

[ian neal]

Is this the end?

If they are successful in removing him from the exclusion zone as some kind of dangerous security risk, perhaps Brian can be convinced to find another high profile and symbolic protest site. Such as the BBC?

Brian is an inspiration to us all 5th anniversary of his protest on June 1

[ian neal]

Dear Supporters of Brian and the right to protest near Parliament,

1. BRIAN HAW LOSES IN COURT OF APPEAL BUT IS STILL IN THE SQUARE
2. LATEST UPDATE FROM THE SQUARE
3. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

As many of you will have seen in the news, on Monday 8 May 2006 the Home
Office won their appeal against Brian's right to remain in the Square.
The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act now applies to him as well as
everyone else. This overturns an exemption that was made in July last
year by the High Court which said that the new law restricting protest
around Parliament could not be applied retrospectively and therefore did
not apply to Brian.

Also, the court would not grant Brian leave to appeal to the House of
Lords or allow him to stay in Parliament Square until the appeal process
was exhausted.

After the announcement was made, Brian made a long statement to the
press and supporters in Parliament Square. A short video of this can be
viewed at:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/340089.html

Brian will be independently seeking leave to appeal to the House of
Lords. As an interim measure, his solicitor has notified the police that
Brian intends to continue his demonstration. Yesterday (Monday) the
police said that Brian's demonstration is "authorised without
prejudice", for the time being, and that they will be making further
contact relating to any conditions they wish to impose later. By law,
authorisation to demonstrate has to be granted. It is with the
conditions that Brian's protest could be severely curtailed.

Today (Tuesday) the police came to the Square to request that a proper
SOCPA application is filled out otherwise it is likely Brian will be
arrested. See the update below for more.

See here for updates by various people as soon as they can be got up on
the web:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/340022.html

See here for updates on Brian's site:
http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/pnews.html

****************************************

2. LATEST UPDATE FROM THE SQUARE

Latest update from
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/340022.html

all's well at midnight (tuesday)
10.05.2006 01:31

police have implied that they will not allow brian or his solicitor to
draw out this process. they are expecting him to complete a proper socpa
application on wednesday and then they will undoubtedly impose
restrictions in the form of conditions on his protest. failure to
complete the application is likely to lead to arrest. failure to adhere
to imposed conditions will also lead to arrest.

assuming that brian completes the form tomorrow, there is likely to be a
period of cat and mouse, negotiation, and compromise over the next few
days, but ultimately, the police are acting for the government, and are
intending to break brian's protest down, sooner rather than later.

supporters in the square are trying to rest tonight after a hectic 48
hours, and restoring their energies for the battles to come. any
night-time events will be reported here, but the general feeling is that
the next few hours are expected to be quiet.
rikki

**************************

3. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

A number of people will be staying in the Square from now on. Others are
more than welcome to come and show solidarity with Brian.

See here for lots of useful information on the legal issues to do with
being in Parliament Square, things to bring with you and other useful
information: http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/staying.htm

There is some risk of arrest for anyone going down to Parliament Square
if the police decide that an unauthorised demonstration is taking place
and if they decide to take action. However, there are people visiting
Brian all the time without being arrested. But it is important to know
what the possible risk is and to be prepared.

Other things you could do to support Brian:

- call the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to show support for Brian
- call the Home Office
- contact your MP
- write letters to the media

Brian has been there for all of us and now we must be there for him!

--
Emma
Parliament Square Peace Campaign
for supporters of Brian Haw and the right to protest
www.parliament-square.org.uk

[ian neal]

Brian's display was removed in a night time operation with 50 police
officers. At 2.45 this morning they turned up and started to load a
container with all the placards and banners and almost all of Brian's
personal possessions. Stuff belonging to supporters who have been down
in Parliament Square with him were also taken.

Brian has now got only one or two placards and a few personal
possessions that he managed to retain.

3 of Brian's supporters have been arrested - Maria, Barbara and Martin.
They are being held at Charing Cross Police Station.

Brian and supporters are still in the Square and there has been no
attempt to move them.

This police action has pre-empted a court hearing on 30 May to which
Brian was summonsed to attend relating to the conditions which the
police placed on his protest.

SOLIDARITY NEEDED TODAY IN PARLIAMENT SQUARE AND AT CHARING CROSS POLICE
STATION

If you can get down to the Square now or later today, please come along.

Also people are needed to go to Charing Cross Police Station to support
those inside.

--
Emma
Parliament Square Peace Campaign
for supporters of Brian Haw and the right to protest
www.parliament-square.org.uk