Peace Activist Swims Into Parliament

Dez | 03.06.2007 00:23 | London

This afternoon on the 6th anniversary of Brian Haw's protest in Parliament Square, Brazilian peace activist Paulo swam across the river Thames to protest against war.

westminster bridge

bouy outside parliament

back on land

river police did not want to take him...

so over the wall into parliament

taken into houses of parliament

Paulo jumped into the river from the south bank and swam to a buoy outside Parliament. He clung to the buoy and shouted, "No War, No Genocide". At one point a small boat filled with tourists stopped alongside him and offered to pick him up. He refused the offer and stayed where he was for a good 10 minutes continuing his chant. Police inside Parliament gathered by the river wall and watched and radioed. A large crowd of people had also gathered on Westminster Bridge to watch.

Paulo finally swam to a set of steps that lead to a locked gate. There being no way out he then climbed over a wall which landed him inside the grounds of Parliament. A supporter threw his clothes down to him and Paulo got dressed. Meanwhile Police inside Parliament were stuck inside their security fence, they couldn't find a key to open their gate (it's obviously not used too often). A police boat turned up on the other side of the wall so Paulo jumped back over. The river police didn't want to take him so again he jumped back over into Parliament where the police had managed to open their gate and promptly arrested him under SOCPA 128 for criminal trespass.

Latest news: Paulo was taken to St Thomas hospital for a check-up. It is assumed he will end up in Charring Cross police station.

Dez

Additions

Final Translation!

08.06.2007 11:11

I swam for peace in memory of more than 70 million people slaughtered in South America between 1500 and 1576 by the Portuguese and Spanish.

I swam against war in iraq

I swam for return of the respect and wealth of my land, placed today on the top of the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and many other London statues

I swam against totalitarian Governments and the Nazi-fascist thinking European Union.

I swam against the civil wars in the africa, supported by England and United States

I swam against the politics of the G8

I swam against the politics of the local, state and federal Governments of Brazil, which totally lack of the presence of the lower classes and the communities in need, eager for education, health, sports, arts and life choices.

I swam for a more conscientious and active youth.

I swam for the fair initiatives, simple and efficient, like the development project for the Rocinha favela in Brazil.

I swam and I will continue swimming therefore I am actor of my own film, my life, which is so valuable and too short to be meaningless.

Hail the Brazilian roots! Hail the Tupinamba of Guanabara!! Hail Yemanja and Ogum Beria-Mar!!!

Fernando

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Peace Activist Swims Into Parliament

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