PRESS RELEASE

4 August 2002

PARLIAMENT SQUARE PROTESTER AGAINST WAR AND SANCTIONS ON IRAQ FACES
EVICTION AFTER 14 MONTHS


Peace campaigner Brian Haw, who has been protesting in Parliament Square
for over a year against the economic sanctions on Iraq, is under threat
of eviction by Westminster Council. Mr Haw started his one-man pavement
protest against UK foreign policy in June 2001 shortly after the
re-election of Tony Blair. Nearly eleven months later the Council
decided that his placards constituted a 'nuisance' and began proceedings
to remove him (1). During his round-the-clock protest, Mr Haw, who
comes from Worcestershire, has had numerous visitors from all over the
world, many leaving placards with messages of peace, helping to create
what is now a powerful display which challenges the government's foreign
policy. The international media have broadcast his message around the
world.

A date for the hearing of Westminster Council's case against him has
been set for 2nd and 3rd October at Marylebone Magistrates Court. A
number of MPs and high profile public figures including Tony Benn, Bruce
Kent and Caroline Lucas MEP, will be called in defense of Mr Haw's
rights to protest.

In response to the Council's attempt to dislodge him from his site
opposite the Houses of Parliament, Mr Haw commented: "Isn't it
disgraceful that they can attempt to take away my human rights to
protest in this way. They are entitled to disagree with me but their
option is to set up along side of me with an opposing view. They are
trying to use the law to stop me protesting against mass murder and
genocide - isn't that perverse?"

Determined to fight for his right to protest at the very heart of the
British parliamentary system, Mr Haw said, "I am still here because
innocents are still dying - babies and infants - for twelve years now
because of sanctions. Iraq is already half dead and now the U.S., with
British support, is threatening to complete the murder of an entire
people supposedly to save them from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. I
won't let them murder quietly.

"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."

For more information contact:
Jim Brann on 020 7652 3350 or  BrannJG@aol.com (before 19 August)
Emma Sangster on 020 8806 6272 or  emma@drifting.demon.co.uk (after 19
August)
Brian Haw can be visited in Parliament Square at any time.


Notes
1. The order to remove Brian Haw from Parliament Square is being
brought under Section 149 of the Highways Act 1980.


--
Emma Sangster