Appeal judges put end to five-year anti-war vigil outside parliament

[struggle4progress]

· Government wins case against lone protester
· 'Last of the Mohicans' may seek law lords' ruling

Clare Dyer and Paul Lewis
Tuesday May 9, 2006
The Guardian

The government won its appeal yesterday against a high court ruling that allowed the anti-war protester Brian Haw to continue his long-running vigil, despite new legislation aimed at controlling demonstrations around the houses of parliament.

Last July Mr Haw, 56, from Worcestershire, won a high court action against the laws threatening his round-the-clock demonstration, which he began in Parliament Square in June 2001. The high court ruled then that the law, contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, required police permission only for demonstrations that began after the law came into force.

But at the court of appeal yesterday the master of the rolls, Sir Anthony Clarke, Lord Justice Laws and Lady Justice Hallett overturned that decision.

Encircled by photographers and tourists yesterday, Mr Haw, who did not attend court, looked distressed. "They've managed to bend it like Beckham," he said. "They've bent the law to get rid of me. This is Mr Blair's democracy. I was the last of the Mohicans, the last British citizen allowed to stand outside parliament and protest, and now I'm gone" ...

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,,1770540,00.html

What say the reeds at Runnymede?

[Kutjara]

1. I've spoken to Brian a couple of times...

...on my occasional perambulations through Parliament square. A more dedicated and rational exponent of peace and democracy you could not hope to meet. He was the conscience of Parliament, his little encampment in plain view of the lawmakers entering and leaving the Commons entrance.

Now that he's gone, the warlords can get on with their bloody business, unencumbered by the pricking of their souls.

Farewell Brian, your example will not be forgotten by those of use who love peace and freedom.