Be There in the Square

Parliament Square August 1, 2pm
The government has introduced, from 1st August an exclusion order for the area around Parliament under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 This zone prohibits demonstrations, even one-person demonstrations, unless the police expressly permit them. Failure to comply can lead to arrest. The zone covers a very wide area around Parliament as far as the London Eye, Charing Cross embankment and up to (although not including) Trafalgar Square.

The new zone is ostensibly to deal with th protest since June 2001, of anti war protester Brian Haw who is camped in Parliament Square. That in itself is a denial of his right to protest and should be opposed. But the exclusion order’s range will prohibit a large number of other protests outside Parliament, Downing St and government buildings.

Note - Guradian - Westminster war protester wins right to stay: The court ruled that legislation being brought in to control demonstrations around the Houses of Parliament did not apply to 56-year-old Mr Haw. The new rules state that, from August 1, anyone wanting to demonstrate in the area must have authorisation from the police "when the demonstration starts". Lawyers for Mr Haw pointed out that his demonstration had actually "started" four years ago and therefore he did not have to apply for authorisation.

To add your support for this protest please call / email the office on 0207 278 6694 or office@stopwar.org.uk and turn up.See also Bloggerheads for more details