Skip to content or view screen version

Parliament square One mans fight almost to death - for peace

Mhairi Morton | 25.03.2007 12:40

A week after the Anti Trident protests outside parliamnet square I decided to spend an afternoon with Brian Haw and his fellow protestors who are currently camping outside the square. We discussed Trident itself, the Iraq war, the police and governments attempts to move them and I learnt a very moving story which deserves to be told to others from a very dedicated and determined man.



On the Trident day demonstration in Parliament Square, I and many others where shocked by the force the police inflicted on the young and elderly protestors. But for some people it hit closer to home. 'The Ant' an Environmentalist, who camps permanently in a tent in Parliament Square along with Brain Haw as part of a peaceful protests against war and nuclear weapons. ( since Haw starting camping there 6yrs ago, 7 new laws have been passed in an attempt to move them on) due to being brutally assaulted by the police some years ago, for escaping from a police station where he was being detained when he tried to save 2000 trees. He now has to have his right arm in a cast. The Ant decided to go back to his tent where he sat and cried his heart out. It was then that The Ant took the decision to send Tony Blair, the Government and the people of Britain the biggest message that he could... To sacrifice his own life. On 15.03.07 (Trident day) at 12.01am The Ant went to Downing Street where he tried to sacrifice his own life, with a knife to the stomach and to send a universal message to people across the world. Due to practicing non violence all his life and being a practicing Buddhist, he couldn't do it. But now he is facing up to 4yrs in prison as a consequence for his actions. 4 doctors, 3 nurses and mental health workers all approved to Ant completely sane at Charing Cross Police Station. "Freedom of speech is being diminished; with our Prime minister killing innocent civilians he is proving to be a war criminal. Everyone needs to rise up and help put a stop for this or they should accept responsibility too" The Ant. At the magistrates court 16.03.07 The Ant got given unconditional bail by Judge Evans and pleaded not guilty to carrying an offensive weapon. He has to return Horseferry road Magistrates Court on 27.04.07 for committal to crown court. “We’ll put together a case on why I was willing to sacrifice my own life outside Downing Street." None of the mass media wanted to print this story, and because it happened when there was no camera's rolling, after the decision on Trident was made it has had no coverage. However I think it’s important that cases like these should be heard to remind us that there is a lot of changes need in the world and if we unite more can be done to achieve them. The Ant is an English British person who is peaceful and doesn’t believe in using violence. He is well educated and is willing to sacrifice his own life for killing that goes on in war torn countries.... then maybe more people would take notice for what he stands for.

Mhairi Morton

Comments

Display the following 2 comments

  1. This man sounds — Joe
  2. A brave man indeed — Eyes Higher