The Peace Strike Campaign operates an authorised 24 hour ongoing 'Strike For Peace' at Parliament Square, Westminster.

Since May 1st this year, the Democracy Village, with the invitation of The Peace Strike, established an ongoing fully operational village on the grassed area on Parliament Square.

During the week before the election, no major party offered the opportunity to bring an end to the war in Afghanistan. Predominantly, the collective aim of the village is to make a stand against the war in Afghanistan, and to ensure the peaceful return of our soldiers back to the UK.

The Democracy Village is an 'emergency camp' reflecting the real concerns of the majority of people in this country. At this moment in time, Parliament Square is being occupied in order to put pressure on the Government to listen to the people, and to bring about peace for all our sakes. Afghanistan is being illegally occupied by NATO forces causing death and destruction every day, without any real justification that anyone can understand.

When the objectives of the village are met, then the occupation of Parliament Square will cease, and the village will move on to wherever else it might be required.

Boris Johnson and the GLA are concerned about any damage caused to the square regarding the grass, and the presumed restricted use to the general public, implying that they are not welcome onto the square now. Before Boris Johnson became the new mayor of London, there was a major redevelopment plan for Parliament Square. It was planned to be remodelled as a continental style piazza, and to join onto the
Westminster Abbey area. Also pedestrian crossings were to be installed. All these plans were scrapped by Boris Johnson as there was no money in the kitty. To date, there is damaged pavement area at the back of the square and also loose pavement slabs that are potentially dangerous (see attached photographs). All in all, if there were a health and safety check to the square then there are serious issues. Also the crossings to the square are not safe for public use. Indeed it is the GLA that seem to be the main obstacle to people's enjoyment of the Square - it has failed to address
the dangers in accessing the Square and it has neglected the infrastructure of the Square.

The Democracy Village does not deny use of the Square by people who want to enjoy it, or to meet or to protest. All are invited and very welcome to visit and use the space. Historically Parliament Square belongs to the people.

Peace Strike fully supports the Democracy Village in its historical stand to bring about peace through its direct actions and ongoing campaign work. The grass area will be maintained to avoid as much damage as possible. Peace Strike is willing to take responsibility in 'making good' Parliament Square when the village moves on once its
objectives have beeen met. When the area is cleared of tents and equipment, the grass area will be transformed to a 'better standard' than when it was found.

Let's all get behind Democracy Village now......if our troops don't return to this country soon...... then they are lining up for another war........."

References:
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8348942.stm
 http://www.alternet.org/world/93473/afghanistan:_the_other_illegal_war/
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_casualties_of_the_War_in_Afghanistan_%282001%E2%80%93present%29