the 'police and social responsibility bill' trundles through parliament, filled with clauses clearly designed to rid parliament square of brian haw's decade long peace vigil, with precise legal constructions that overturn years of hard-fought arguments in the high court. but it will not be in place in time for the royal wedding, and cameron has made a pledge that parliament square will be free of protest by that date. so, yesterday, westminster officials served letters on protestors in parliament square, and the council released press statements claiming they were acting to clear the square this week.

brian himself is abroad receiving treatment for cancer, but his campaign has continued uninterrupted with the help of a handful of supporters. his peace camp consists of a few banners (restricted to 3 metres width by police under SOCPA legislation) and a small number of tents for supporters to stay overnight and to shelter from the elements.

maria gallestegui, who was for many years was a close confidante and supporter of brian's campaign, but who now runs a separate campaign along the pavement under the name 'peace strike', has received the same restrictions from police and has built two wooden boxes, each using up fully the area allowed under the same arbitrary police restrictions. she also has tents for supporters to stay.

since last summer, there was also a build up of other tents in the area, mostly used by homeless people and not clearly part of either authorised peace protest. it seemed that police were allowing these to remain, adding to the general "untidiness" of the area which many politicians have complained about. however, with bad weather and in the aftermath of the student protest, most of these have left.

despite various promises (from blatantly untrustworthy politicians) that SOCPA would be repealed, it is still officially in force, and indeed, the 'peace strike' protest is "authorised", while brian's protest is also 'de facto' authorised, even though he has never willingly complied with the legislation (enacted several years after his protest began!).

a new bill, 'the police and social responsibility bill' is currently in progress, and while repealing the parts of SOCPA relating to protest near parliament, it targets tents, sleeping bags, camping equipment, and loud hailers, making them all unlawful in parliament square, and thus making brian's 24-hour vigil impossible. the bill also tightens up where SOCPA failed, by explicitly allowing police to seize such objects, and allowing courts to create exclusion zones against named individuals. the relevant sections of the bill might as well be called "the removal of brian haw and his supporters" as it is so precise in its aims and in the scope of its powers.

however, the bill is still in consultation phase and will not be on the statute until at least the summer, so in the meantime, cameron made a promise to the house that the square will be clear in time for the royal wedding.

given the talk of an early mayday-style protest on the 29th april, fuelled by an angry population reeling from unnecessary and deeply ideological huge cuts while big business proceeds as normal, i think brian's camp will be the least of their worries on that day.

however, it looks like cameron's had words in boris's shell-likes, and a new initiative has been born to rid parliament of its permament voice of conscience outside.

yesterday, letters were served on the peace campaigns (apparently from westminster's orwellian-style 'head of legal and democratic services'), which give notice until friday 5pm to remove tents and other structures which  'unlawfully obstruct the highway'.

all parties are no doubt seeking legal advice, and the 'peace strike' have issued a public statement (printed below), but on first sight, the letter seems to be based on dubious legal grounds. for a start it alludes to a previous case back in 2002, when westminster tried to bring an obstruction of the highway case against brian haw, and failed to get an injunction in the high court after a ruling by mr justice gray. in the new letter, they say that the present circumstances are different, and they will be seeking an injunction if the protestors don't respond or comply.

the camps are being commanded to remove any "unlawful obstruction", but this is a very unclear order, especially given the fact that at least some of the structures are authorised by the police under SOCPA guidelines. so, it poses the question, can a structure be unlawful if it has been authorised by the police within existing laws?

perhaps dave and boris really are that stupid, but i imagine they have taken some pretty hefty legal advice before making this move, or perhaps they are just going to get an injunction served (possibly with the help of the usual brown envelope), use hired force to remove the camps, and only then fight it out in court and quite possibly lose later. if so, it is particularly sick timing to do so while brian haw is receiving cancer treatment abroad.

i suppose a concerted assault on the rights to protest must be part of a regime of intense public cuts and corporate theft, and this is just part of it. all the more reason for the people to rise up to force this corrupt and democratically illegitimate government out of office. roll on jan29, march 26, april 29 and more.

below is the statement from the 'peace strike':

STATEMENT AND OPEN LETTER FROM PEACESTRIKE AT PARLIAMENT SQUARE

18/1/2011

Re: Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

THREAT OF EVICTION  * HIGHWAYS ACT 1980 and HIGH COURT INJUNCTION *

Yesterday afternoon we received a letter from Westminster City Council stating that we are an unlawful obstruction on the pavement opposite the Houses of Parliament. Also to make certain they achieve their objective, they are applying to the High Court for an injunction. They want a written reply by 12pm this Friday 21st, that all articles will be removed by 5pm.We have no information regarding when they would act at the moment, but presumably, any-time after that.....

Peacestrike has occupied this area for the past 2 years with tents and display structures. To date, we have received  no official complaints regarding obstruction, hygiene issues, or complaints regarding abusive or disruptive  behaviour. We take pride in the management of  our on-going 24hr demonstration and accept we have a social responsibility in keeping our area in good order. 

Peacestrike has four SOCPA ACT 2005 authorisations at Parliament Square and one in Whitehall. The threat to these rights should be through new legislation. The repeal of SOCPA ACT 2005 is in proposed legislation contained in the 'Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill'. This  is now reached  committee stage in the House of Commons. They ask people to submit objections, recommendations and concerns, to the committee by Feb....... It will not be in law until after the Royal wedding. This is due process and proper procedure, and allows time for people to organise a counter argument and open the discussion to all parties who may be affected by such legislation.

It seems that Westminster City Council and the Government wish to Pre-empt this law in order to rid themselves of demonstrations in Parliament Square right now. The problem is that in their haste, yet again, they are in great danger of 'Throwing the baby out with the bath water!'

We feel it necessary,due to the change in circumstances, to make this statement on behalf of the good people of this country who are unaware of the serious threat to our great history of protest. If we do not act now, 24hr overnight protest will be outlawed. The reasons the demonstration at Parliament Square have gone on for so long is directly connected to our on-going wars and illegal occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. Remember, people, children, and soldiers are killed and seriously wounded every day!

We have a heavy burden of responsibility to get this right, as time is short. As yet, there has been no real opportunity for public opposition or debate. All the media has centred on the concerns of the Home Office, politicians, council, GLA, and the police. Do we really want our Government to send a message out to the world that protest is stifled and now timetabled and controlled. In emergencies people will naturally not want to go home, such as the Tamils in 2009. Emotions cannot, and never will be controlled by legislation, especially if the Government of the day is responsible for the atrocities. The people of the country always have a duty to express their concerns. We should always have the right to be angry and outraged. The Public Order Act 1980 has always been available to the police, if things get out of hand. Other countries do not share this great privilege,therefore because we can we must be the voice for the voiceless.  

The Royal Family should be proud and protective of our heritage. We need to have a very frank and open discussion concerning this very important and historic right.

There are many examples of on-going demonstrations of similar standing throughout the world.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, Australia, which has been there for over 39 years, since 1972 . It will continue, until the full rights of the Aboriginal People are restored.

http://www.indigenousaustralia.info/land/land-rights/the-tent-embassy.html

White House Peace Camp. A lady called Concepcion Picciotto has been outside the White House for 30 years, since 1981

http://www.prop1.org/conchita/

Faslane Peace Camp, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Established in 1984...... some 28 years ago!

Located by Faslane Nuclear Submarine Base.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faslane_Peace_Camp

Vancouver, Canada on-going protest, 4 years plus.

Recently won British Columbia Court of Appeal regarding Falun Gong on-going protest outside Chinese Consulate. Court over ruled Vancouver City Bylaws as unconstitutional, Oct 21st 2010.

http://mwcnews.net/news/americas/6059-falun-gong-wins-court-battle-against-chinese-consulate.htm

Chinese Embassy......over 8 years....Portland Place London, 24hr, on-going....Falun Gong Practitioners. Started 5th June 2002.

http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2010/7/23/118782.html

Winnie the pig resided in a pen in Parliament Square, by the Churchill Statue, for 3 months between Feb – May 2000. There did not seem to be any objection at the time, indeed it would have been considered very British. Also, spent a day opposite Downing Street March 2008, and was visited by celebrities and MP's and Lord Tebbit. Maybe she was tolerated, as the pig could not talk back!

http://www.pigworld.co.uk/Pages/winnie-the-pig.html

Democracy Village. Established in run up to election May1st, 2010 in Parliament Square, London. lasted 3 months. SOCPA ACT 2005 was never used.

Royalty and Politicians have to live in the real world where protest is essential to the Democratic process. We do not live in a sanitised country or world,nor would we want to. As long as protest is reasonable and peaceful, we feel we have every right to keep going....

We therefore invite Royalty, Politicians,Police, Council Officials, GLA, Journalists, Lawyers and Campaigners to a meeting in the House of Commons. We are trying to get a committee room made available as soon as possible. We are confident we can come to an amicable agreement to suit all parties concerned.

Without discussion there is no way forward.

If dialogue fails,or is just ignored, then Peacestrike intends to stand firm at Parliament regardless of the consequences.

Maria Gallastegui

Peacestrike Campaign

Parliament Square    0741 3036 769

Emails will be sent to parties concerned.