Posted on 05/23/2006 4:09:09 AM PDT by MadIvan
Police have removed placards belonging to anti-war protester Brian Haw at his long-running demonstration outside Parliament.
Mr Haw, 57, said he had been left with just one placard after officers took the action over alleged breaches of his demonstration conditions and plans to mount a fast in protest.
Mr Haw, who was not evicted from Parliament Square, said his large display of anti-war banners, placards and flags had been "completely destroyed".
"All of my personal belongings have been taken and dumped in a container along with nearly all the displays," he said.
"They have completely destroyed all the expressions of people who opposed the war in Iraq.
"It seems I am going to die in this place now because I'm going to be fasting and praying - I have to accept the possibility. Some of our soldiers over there [in Iraq] have to accept that possibility, don't they?
"What else can I do as a Christian? They have taken my means of showing people what is going on."
The legal size of the protest - three metres - was imposed by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) 2005. A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed officers attended the scene at 2.35am.
SOCPA came into force last July, bringing with it powers to stop demonstrations in Parliament Square or nearby - a provision widely seen as having been designed with Mr Haw in mind.
His legal team argued - ultimately unsuccessfully - that the fact that the protest predates the Act itself put him beyond its reach.
Earlier this month Court of Appeal judges overturned a ruling that allowed him to carry out his round-the-clock vigil which he began in June 2001. It means that Mr Haw will have to apply to the police for authorisation to continue the dispute.
Mr Haw, of Worcestershire, was refused permission to appeal to the House of Lords, but he plans to petition the Law Lords directly in a bid to take the case further.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
What war was he protesting in June 2001, I wonder?
Likely the War on Terror in general. Some of our nutters think any war is wrong no matter what.
Regards, Ivan
The War on Terror didn't begin until September of 2001, Ivan. Perhaps this is a misprint, or maybe the guy is simply a crank who is always protesting.
The WOT didn't start until October 2001. It must be nice not to have to wake up and go to work in the morning.
Seems he's all about the attention.
He could try the bubble-aquarium thing like that Blaine kid.
The website of Brian Haw, peace protestor
http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/
I should clarify - even before the war on terror, there were "peace" protestors out there. During the Cold War, they were in favour of unilateral disarmament. After the Cold War, they had a variety of protests, including against Israel and somehow our complicity in supporting Israel against the Palestinians.
Regards, Ivan
Ivan - are the vast majority of people in England against the war on terror?
No, they're not.
Regards, Ivan
"Brian Haw"
A relative of Lord Haw-Haw.
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