UK Indymedia | Mandela's statue in Parliament Square.

Mandela's statue in Parliament Square.

Mandela's statue is due to be unveiled in Parliament Square by him on Wednesday 29th. But hang on, the whole area is presently fenced off, with the exception of a tiny, cramped area around Brian Haw's pitch.

Part of fenced off Britain.

Part of fenced off Parliament.

Another part of fenced off Parliament.

So what is going to happen? Will the fence be removed by Ken so that the general public and demonstrators can enjoy the green once again? What about Brian's banners and tents though, will they also be removed to avoid embarrassment to MPs, or retained as a symbol of democracy in action? We shall see. In the meantime keep checking the webcam and get down there on Tuesday in case the police make a sudden night time move on Brian's pitch. How ironic if it turns out that Mandela's visit will be responsible for yet another infringement of human rights.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/webcams/546501.shtml

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/actions/2006/socpa/

Doug

Additions

Helicopter.

27.08.2007 11:34

Forgot to mention that throughout the Bank Holiday Parliament Square has been monitored by a very noisy police helicopter, as well as the usual plethora of CCTV. Not much chance of any citizen getting out of line is there.

Doug

11am - be there early

28.08.2007 11:43

yep, it's difficult to find the info on the net, but it is meant to be at 11am tomorrow (wednesday), with the greater london authority recommending that people get there earlier at 10/10.30am

some people will no doubt be highlighting the hypocrisy of a mandela statue being placed in parliament square, the place where freedom of expression and freedom of assembly have been curtailed by the 'serious organised crime and police act 2005' which imposes restrictions on protest near parliament. this law has led to a harrasment campaign of mind-blowing proportions against the handful of protestors intent on bringing blair, brown and others to justice for their part in the decimation of iraq. (see previous indymedia reports especially relating to barbara tucker and of course, brian haw).

when gordon brown seized power he sent out a press release stating that he would 'review' the anti-protest laws in his first 100 days in office. he hasn't. the law still stands, it is still being used. one man, milan rai, is in jail currently for organising a protest in which he read out the names of the dead opposite downing street in october 2005 along with one other person, maya evans. his refusal to pay fines arising from that conviction has resulted in the one month imprisonment.

nelson mandela is a 20th century icon. he was a man who stood up to the power of the state, who believed in freedom and equal rights for all, and who was outlawed for many years both in his own state and by world leaders including our own prime minister, margaret thatcher, who branded him as a terrorist.

we have shown throughout history that yesterday's 'terrorists' and law-breakers often go on to become today's 'freedom fighters' and icons for justice. unfortunately, they sometimes then go on to become part of the very establishment they would have scorned in years gone by.

if nelson mandela is genuinely unaware of the grimey recent history of parliament square, and of our state's sordid determination to silence and disappear the criticism of it's sickeningly evil deeds in iraq and afghanistan, then it is important that at 11am tomorrow, he must be made aware!

i hope many many more people feel this way and will go to the square as individuals to shout out and make sure he hears. i already know many who will be there.

one person has officially notified the police of their demonstration (as required by the 'socpa' law). it will be a legitimate plea to mandela asking him to assist in the return of brian haw's property which was stolen on the 23rd may 2007 in what the high court has agreed was an unlawful seizure.

under the serious organised crime and police act, the police MUST authorise, so come along and be part of that if nothing else.

rikki
Homepage: http://www.socpa-movie.blogspot.com

contact nelson mandela

28.08.2007 14:12

For people who can't get to parliament square tomorrow, I found this contact information on the web:

The Office of Mr. Nelson Mandela
E-mail: nmf[at]nelsonmandela.org
Tel: +27 (0)11 728 1000
Fax: +27 (0)11 728 1111
Postal address: Private Bag X70 000, Houghton, JOHANNESBURG, 2041

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