Brian Haws, the anti-war protester who has for the last 10 years lived in a tent outside the Houses of Parliament has died age 62.
Mr Haws has lived in a makeshift camp in London’s parliament square since 2001 in a one man protest against the sanctions imposed on Iraq. Sanctions intended to induce political change but increased the suffering of millions of innocent people. He continued his protest as the US and UK armed forces lead the offensive military action in Afghanistan and then Iraq, living on food and supply’s donated by supporters and fellow protesters.
During the time Mr Haws lived among the heart of British Politics, MP’s have not covered themselves in glory. For the last 10 years our elected representatives have embezzled millions in dishonest expense claims, stood by and watched as the Banking system collapsed and the democracy displayed leading up to the war in Iraq looks dubious to say the least.
Throughout this the British political system has fought vigorously to have Mr Haws and his protest removed from outside Parliament. Almost immediately Brian was accused by Westminster Council of ‘’ deliberately obstructing a public highway ‘’
with his anti-war banners. In the end this failed for one simple reason, the banners weren’t blocking the highway. And now comes the scary bit, following the failed attempt to remove Mr Laws, who spent his days telling MP’s what he thought through a Loud Speaker, MP’s used new laws intended to protect us from terrorism to make the protest illegal. Following 2005 legislation it is now illegal to stage an unauthorised protest within a mile of the Houses of Parliament.
The fact that the UK government would use terrorism laws on a peaceful anti-war protester should be a warning to us all.
Unfortunately for MP’s the new Law stated that it was illegal to start a protest within 1 mile of parliament without permission, but as Mr Haws had been there a good 5 years by this point, it was impossible to enforce the new law in his case. He was eventually granted the right to protest with a Loud Speaker at certain times of the day and limits were put on the number of banners he could display.
In 2006 Police finally confiscated all but one of Brian’s banners. In 2010 on the day of the state opening of parliament Brian was arrested for obstructing police trying to search his camp. It was suggested by many at the time that he was detained so he would not be a nuisance on such an occasion.
Freedom of speech in 21st century Britain seems to come with a lot of conditions. You can protest just as long as you don’t upset MP’s. Your elected representatives will if necessary use the law to ensure that they don’t have to be subjected to your opinions. Brian’s one man protest was not enough to affect the war in Iraq but it was an interesting demonstration of today’s democracy in action.
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