[JNV] Sunday 14 May, 12 noon: gathering in solidarity with Brian Haw

[JNV]

After the Home Office won its appeal on 8 May, the Serious 
Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA) does now 
apply to Brian. Although Brian is still in Parliament Square, 
the police now have his protest in their control along with 
everyone elses!

PEOPLE WILL GATHER ON PARLIAMENT SQUARE ON SUNDAY 
14 MAY AT 12 NOON

TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH BRIAN AND TO CELEBRATE HIS 
ACHIEVEMENT OF SPEAKING OUT 24/7 FOR NEARLY 5 YEARS.

Lets all come together to show just how much support he has - 
that he is not alone!

Brian masks will be provided.  You could bring: placards 
and banners in support of Brian, food and drink, festive activities....


RISK OF ARREST

There will be some risk of arrest at this gathering if the 
police decide that a demonstration is taking place.  
If they decide to call it something else or there are enough 
media and enough people down there then they may not 
arrest, but everyone should be forewarned.  See here 
for details regarding the legal situation and what do to 
if you are 
arrested.
http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/staying.htm


BACKGROUND ON BRIAN AND THE LAW BANNING UNAUTHORISED 
PROTEST NEAR PARLIAMENT

Brian Haw started his continuous vigil opposite Parliament 
in June 2001 to protest against the economic sanctions 
that were having such a disastrous effect of people's 
lives in Iraq.  He has continued to protest against 
invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq.  
His display shows the injustice and horrors that have been 
suffered as a result of our government's foreign policy. 
Brian's message has gone out globally and people visit him 
from all over the world. Many have left messages of 
peace that now form part of his display.

Just before the law (which was initiated in order to 
silence Brian's protest) came into force in August 05,
 the High Court made a judgement that was highly 
embarrassing for the Government - that Section 132 of 
SOCPA which bans unauthorised protest in a large area 
around Parliament could not be applied retrospectively 
and therefore did not apply to Brian.  This has now been 
overturned at the Court of Appeal ruling on 8 May 06.

Brian will be seeking leave to appeal to the House of 
Lords and in the meantime will be continuing his protest 
under SOCPA terms.  The law states that authorisation 
for the demonstration has to be given but that a whole 
range of conditions may be imposed by the police. It is these 
conditions that could deal the final blow for Brian's protest.

Amongst other conditions, the police are suggesting 
that Brian's protest be limited to 3 metres in any 
dimension - a massive reduction which would strip away 
most of the display.  If Brian fails to compile with 
this he will be arrested.

Also SOCPA allows any senior police officer 
at the site to change the conditions with immediate 
effect. So they could remove him altogether at 
some later point with almost no notice.

For more information on Brian and how to 
support him, particularly in the event of his eviction, 
see http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/