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Dave Howard and Others Arrested in Parliament Square

Louise Keane | 07.08.2005 14:31

I was at Parliament Sq and I witnessed a young man being arrested and he gave his name as Dave Howard - I think.

I happened to be passing Parliament Square this afternoon and would you believe that some people of all ages appeared to be holding a protest of some kind? Now, as I understood this to now be illegal I went to talk to these seditious malcontents to find out what they were up to. I got there and the police were handing out flyers to people who looked like they may have been planning an illegal protest. Strangely enough they did not hand to me one of these leaflets so I do not know the content. A potential protestor did tell me that it contained information regarding the new law and that it is now illegal to protest in the area. Now, why did they not give to me one of these leaflets? Could it be that I was wearing my suit and walking along with my brief case looking like a respectable member of the public? This piece of invisible theatre worked for me up to a point. I was able to join the protest without the police bothering me. After about half an hour of milling around, the police all got together and started to congregate around small groups of people holding banners. They confiscated banners and then started arresting those who had been holding those banners. I witnessed one young man being arrested and asked him for his name. He said it was Dave Howard (or something) and I asked him if he would like me to tell anyone. He asked me to tell Jane and Naomi. I asked everyone there and couldn't find them. If anyone knows Dave please can you try and make sure he is okay. And you can contact me if you want any witness statements or any other support.
I also saw the police trying to arrest a lady in traditional muslim attire, but I think she was eventually left alone once she had taken down her banner.
I did delight in a gentleman bearing a Peace/Justice placard skipping around the square shouting "Protest, Protest, Protest".
Now, being a respectable member of the public I was not visibally taking part, but I was taking pictures. I stepped off the grass along with some others, and then the police started pushing us onto the grass. Marvellous, this meant that I was forced, by the hand of a brutal police officer, to join an illegal demonstration against my will. I did 'protest' saying, "But I am only taking pictures". The police officer said he didn't care and told me to move over. I think I shall go and turn my self in to my local nick and confess to this crime of taking part in a demonstration without authorisation. I will also complain to the home office about police brutality. After the handful of arrests and people shouting "Shame on You" and "Shame on Blair", I notice that there appeared to be less police. I eventually decided at this point to head home.

I will sort out me photos as soon as possible and put them up.

Remember, if you know Dave Howard then try and contact the police stations to find out where he is being held. Best wishes to all those who were arrested today.

Louise Keane
- e-mail: peacecamp1976@yahoo.co.uk