Are you aware of Brian Haw's 6-year protest against the war in Iraq in Parliament Square, London?

Question

The Blair government passed special legislation just to target him, unsuccessfully. Now the Greater London Authority and the police are trying to get rid of Brian's supporters.

See pictures on this link: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/378606.html

Do you believe in the democratic right to peaceful protest?

Answer 1

Yes I am and I respect that man for his beliefs and fortitude as I would also for anyone else who stood up for what they believed in (even if I didn't agree with them).I suppose it must be the way that I was brought up - is that so wrong? -

http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/

Edit - And by the way "Gem" - read this on the link I give above - please don't let ignorance get in the way of rational debate -

"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 estimated that 655,000 people have died in Iraq as a result of the 2003 invasion (see more here).

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=15&ItemID=11204

And how many millions of other lives have been blighted for ever?"

Being against the war/occupation is *NOT* being against our troops nor is it "supporting terrorism".
I ask myself what God would think but that is my personal issue - everyone else must answer to their own conscience and that is what Brian Laws is doing - I respect the man.

Answer 2

The Vietnam war ended when I was 18 so I just missed the draft by a few years. I wasn't very political at that age, but I now wonder if I would have went or not.

Answer 3

Iraq was not invaded six years ago.

9-11 did not occur until 6 years ago NEXT month. (2007 - 6 years is 2001)

So how did this guy start protesting a war that had not happened yet?

Wow, an English psychic protester, how cool!

Answer 4

As an American (and I realize this question is about someone in the UK), I believe that people have the right to protest whatever they want. However, I don't believe that people have a right to disturb others with their protest. In essence, they must stay out of the way so that others can go about their business. Basically, someone else's rights end where mine begin. In this case it means that anyone has the right to peacefully protest whatever they want as long as they don't inconvenience me.

Truth be known, I don't believe that protesting is of any use to anyone and doesn't accomplish anything. I believe that people who want to make a difference take action within the law to change the world around them. Sometimes it means fighting to change laws. But protesting? One can protest all they want but what does it really do?

Answer 5

I do believe in peaceful protest. I also believe that all protestors should demonstrate proficiency in reading calendars. Operation Iraqi Freedom began on March 19, 2003. That's a little over four years ago. Not six.

Answer 6

London is under threat from terrorists every day and places that house 'important' people and attract tourists are seen as terrorist targets; Brian Haws is doing what he believes in and is being allowed to do what he believes in, unlike the ordinary people of Iraq before the invasion. He has been moved back because of Nelson Mandella's visit to London, but if his supporters do things like stand in the road and block traffic then the whole lot of them should be moved on. We let them get on with it, they should have the decency to allow us to get on with our lives

Answer 7

Yes, but I don't think that this qualifies as "peaceful protest". More like "extended tantrum".

Answer 8

guess he should of done it in Trafalgar square , isn't that the place anyone can get up to say there peace