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Video of plinth occupation in Parliament Square.

Doug | 20.10.2007 08:13 | SOCPA | Anti-militarism | Repression | Social Struggles | London

Following the forcible eviction of tents from the grass of the Square by Greater London Authority security guards on 17th October, protesters sought an alternative site, where they could not be accused of causing an obstruction. Video:
 http://www.archive.org/details/VideoOfPlinthOccupationInParliamentSquare

Because British Parliament doesn't know how to word its repressive SOCPA legislation properly, Brian Haw has been legally allowed to continue his protest opposite the Houses of Parliament since 2nd June 2001. This hasn't stopped the authorities from endlessly harassing him and his legitimate supporters though. The latest episode in this saga was the removal of supporters tents from the grass onto the pavement.

After setting up a living statue on a vacant plinth in the Square, Maria placed her tent there, which was not on the grass nor causing an obstruction, and she peacefully remained for more than 30 hours. True to type, the authorities seized the opportunity to have another go, which included roughly manhandling a woman supporter, which was shown on public television, and then finally evicting Maria from the plinth, further details here:

Yet Another Parliament Square Eviction
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384067.html

To find out more:
 http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2006/socpa/

Doug