When Brian Haw began protesting in 2001 he began as a general anti-war activist, calling it the "Parliament Square Peace Campaign." However, post September 11th, his efforts focused on fighting the war in Iraq.
Now, nearly nine years later, Haw has been joined by a host of activists in the square, collectively forming what has been dubbed "Democracy Village," comprised of over forty tents and activists campaigning for a variety of causes.
This year, the camp began to assemble May 1, drawing people of all ages and backgrounds with the purpose of exercising their rights to free assembly and expression. Supporters of peace, sustainable living and communism pitched their tents and began working together in their efforts to protest, building a “peace garden,” eco-friendly toilets (bales of hay), and a large tent for meetings.
The installation has gathered a considerable amount of attention over the past four weeks as citizens and government officials are growing weary of the display.
The Metropolitan Police have attempted to arrest Hew several times for trespassing and, last week, issued notices to the remaining 31 residents of the camp that they need to vacate the premises immediately.
The notices are the beginning of a two-part campaign by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, in an attempt to clear the area. In an angry column May 25th, The Guardian’s writer Colin Barrow echoed the feelings of many Londoners, stating:
“While we all support peaceful protest, it is completely unacceptable for this public square to become a campsite in the heart of central London, when it is meant to be a place for everyone to enjoy. We welcome the mayor’s plans to take action and remove the protestors as it is unfair for a major part of our city to be occupied and turned into a no-go area…however laudable their causes of land reform, sustainability, and self-sufficiency may be.”
Yet at least half of the square remains covered by tents and activists. Whether they will remain as long as Haw is yet to be seen.
Now, nearly nine years later, Haw has been joined by a host of activists in the square, collectively forming what has been dubbed "Democracy Village," comprised of over forty tents and activists campaigning for a variety of causes.
This year, the camp began to assemble May 1, drawing people of all ages and backgrounds with the purpose of exercising their rights to free assembly and expression. Supporters of peace, sustainable living and communism pitched their tents and began working together in their efforts to protest, building a “peace garden,” eco-friendly toilets (bales of hay), and a large tent for meetings.
The installation has gathered a considerable amount of attention over the past four weeks as citizens and government officials are growing weary of the display.
The Metropolitan Police have attempted to arrest Hew several times for trespassing and, last week, issued notices to the remaining 31 residents of the camp that they need to vacate the premises immediately.
The notices are the beginning of a two-part campaign by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, in an attempt to clear the area. In an angry column May 25th, The Guardian’s writer Colin Barrow echoed the feelings of many Londoners, stating:
“While we all support peaceful protest, it is completely unacceptable for this public square to become a campsite in the heart of central London, when it is meant to be a place for everyone to enjoy. We welcome the mayor’s plans to take action and remove the protestors as it is unfair for a major part of our city to be occupied and turned into a no-go area…however laudable their causes of land reform, sustainability, and self-sufficiency may be.”
Yet at least half of the square remains covered by tents and activists. Whether they will remain as long as Haw is yet to be seen.
