Hello,

At approximately 14:10 yesterday, two concerned citizens from the Democracy Village on Parliament Square climbed a tree outside Downing Street and unfurled a banner which read: "Come on Dave, its time for peace, bring the boys home". This action is part of an ongoing campaign by citizens at the Democracy Village to call on the new government to withdraw British forces from Afghanistan. The individuals came down from the tree 8 hours later and where arrested for breaching SOCPA. The pair where released this morning after being charged with Carrying out a demonstration without authorization in a public place in a designated area - SOCA 2005

After returning to the Democracy village this morning one of the activists commented "I've just spent 8 hours up a tree and 13 hours in custody, SOCPA is designed to put people off of this kind of action but we kept true to our beliefs, refused a caution and explained to the judge that what we had done was right and she let us go"

Residents of the Democracy Village have written a letter to the new Prime Minister calling for the soldiers to be recalled. Please find this letter attached.
The Democracy Village was established on May 1st by a group of concerned citizens. They have issued the following statement regarding their ongoing presence on Parliament Square:

"We are a group of concerned citizens who are coming together to call for peace, justice and freedom.
The issues which we campaign on are diverse, E.G: ending the war in Afghanistan, Climate Justice,
civil liberties, land reform and much more. We are united in our desire for change and will remain here
until our demands are met.
This is a creative space to discuss and put into action solutions for the future such as community, self
sufficiency and sustainability. Everyone is welcome to come and pitch up a tent and get involved."

For more information on this action or the Democracy Village please call:

0755 201 4471

or email:  democracyvillage@gmail.com

web: www.democracyvillage.blogspot.com