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Right to Protest

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One anti-war protestor has been at London's Parliament Square for more than five years, sleeping there day and night. Brian Haw's story, as well as that of his supporters featured in this piece, offers a taste of the culture of protest and a navigation through the complex laws passed in Britain in order to fight terrorism: in particular, the act that banned protest without police permission in the one square kilometre radius around Parliament Square. Civil liberties groups, such as Liberty human rights group featured in this piece, condemned that clause of the Act and accused the governent of introducing it in order to get rid of Brian Haw. Brian offers his insight on this and other matters to the tune of "Saddam, the sad-bad-box song" while taking pride in his makeshift home at Parliament Square. So much so, that he accuses policemen caught on-camera here of "littering" when trying to serve a court summons to a tent. In the court case Brian attended the day after he was filmed for this piece, it was decided that he could continue his protest, and there was no danger of Al Qaeda hiding bombs behind his placards, as his opponents had said resulting in the destruction of his extensive display of anti-war signs by the police. This display has been re-created at the Tate Britain and is now open to the public.
eleni

31 responses // Right to Protest

  • The dedication of the subject is very interesting. No matter which side of the war issue you are on..the dedication is interesting. Nicely done!
    BigCat
  • I liked this piece alot....the editing was smooth and fluid...
    the subject matter was interesting for me as an American to see how the system works in another country (much like our own). I thought you as the commentator were very good and would have liked to see you back in the shot at some point to wrap up or to keep the story going as opposed to the titles at the end.. The only adjustments I would suggest would be to slow the titles down a bit as a few ended before I was done reading them. I also wonder the question, Did this man give up his home or job to be there?"Not that his rights should be impeded either way but I did wonder....What is he giving up in his life for the fight?? Perhaps someone else watching also would wonder.....

    Great job!! Enjoyed it!
    dctags21
  • Great story! I'm always a big fan of free speech stories.

    I agree that it would be good to see more of you somewhere. You might also be able to get away with shortening it a bit in some places and some of the titles do flash by a little fast. That's all just nitpicking though. With a little title tweaking it will hold up fine as is too.

    You got my vote.
    Plisko
  • Ditto on the critiques below, particularly the title issue. But ditto too on the general power of this piece. Depressing to see that the mindset that gave us "Free Speech Zones" is spreading. GL from me.
    DanPersons
  • Nice piece Elenl, I liked Brian I thought he was a very interesting Character I like what he stood for and his style. A few suggestions on the piece, if you could shorten it I think it would benifit you greatly. You have a lot here but I think you could cut some middle stuff out, with out losing to much of the jist of the piece. Really look at it and see what you need and what you don't. Also, the text is to fast, I couldn't really read it, watch it again and read the text out loud and add a beat at the end. Just some suggestions take it or leave it. Good story GL and good luck. I like is end line that he is not an Anti ware demostator but is a man for peace.

    Talbott
    Common_People_Productions
  • Eleni! Another great piece from you. Brava.

    One thing...the titles flash a little too quickly and were difficult to read w/out pausing, but that is an easy fix.

    Aside from being longer than the usual pod, I see no reason why Current wouldn't pick this piece up. Green light from me. Make more!
    jengo
  • Well done Eleni, I wonder how you managed to film so long in westminister without being disturbed.

    GL
    sholao
  • What everyone else has said, a great flowing piece with a poignant message. Could be a little shorter, maybe... titles could be a little clearer to read and on screen longer. Other than that, perfect! Congrats on such a compelling story. -zen
    zenbeer
  • VERY interesting story. Thats pretty nuts, 5 years. wow.
    Jordan F
  • VERY interesting story. Thats pretty nuts, 5 years. wow.
    Jordan F
  • thanks all for your comments and positive feedback!-

    according to the press brian has left his life with his family (wife and children) to be there for five and a half years. he was extremely reluctant to talk about that though, or in fact anything that was too personal, like for example, how many times he's been arrested. To that, he would say "let's talk about what's really important here shall we? " returning to war and freedom of speech issues. That is interesting in itself I suppose, in terms of his dedication to the cause - will see whether I could add some of that in... eleni
    eleni
  • I can't say much more that what's already been said. This is a great story. Well done. Kepp it up.
    kDrew_Productions
  • Green Light from me ! Excellent work...

    Have a look at my new documentary

    Testimony
    firstlight
  • Bravo, Eleni. Compelling story. Well shot.
    Kiros_Productions
  • Hey Eleni~
    I wanted how your video on the anti-war protest. Amazing piece of true dedication. It's shocking how long these painful moments must tread across waters of uncertainity. You're a voice that needs to be broadcasted through our globe. I appreciate your in-depth close up panning across the sector, and I appreciate your willingness to capture the reality of it all. Keep up the amazing work. I hope to see more of your product. Thank you very much for your greenlight on my recent work. I'm learning as I go and haven't been at this for long, but I love it. I appreciate your comments and if you get a chance to check on my work from Peru named The Voice of The Murmurs. Also, I have a question for you concerning some material that I'm planning to upload. Cheers, and speak for those who cannot!~
    Danielmklopp
  • you certainly have a knack for finding the extremes in the world - well done. i look foreward to see what you find next!
    DustinTru
  • Congrats on the TV pick Eleni.

    Check out my latest POD when you get a chance.

    Shola
    sholao
  • I enjoyed this pod very much, it's good to see this characters spirit and drive. Congrats for your GL. Thank you for your vote on mine.
    Brainstorm
  • hello there, Congrats on your airing. I just edited my Voice of Murmurs. Thank you for your tips. I hope that I prepared a better video. if you could have a look and let me know what you think. Thank you very much.
    Kind regards~
    danielmklopp~
    Danielmklopp
  • Great message... wonderful editing. Congrats on the GL.
    Pipes of Peace link
    phillyboy
  • Fantastic piece, seen this guy on the news a while back and it really caught my imagination!

    Well done!!

    Thanks for the comment on bankrolling, well appreciated!

    ps. it looks like it was a really cold shoot!
    cashmeremedia
  • brilliant! thanks for the voice. very well done.
    dannyk
  • Red Light unfortunately,

    Excellent work, but in my opinion, this creates resistance to government. While I am not promoting Facism, there are proper ways to protest, five and a half years is excessive, please stop burdening society and begin contributing to make the world a better place
    nicksmith
  • Hey Eleni, did you hear Brian Haw got voted C4 Viewers' Most Important Political Personality of 2006 (after a very effective impromptu email campaign...)? Good news.

    And I've still got that dollar bill of yours from the Current UK pre-launch drinks do...
    OpenCircuit
  • Proof of the lack of civil liberties in this country. Sad that the right to legitimate protest has been trampled upon by this government. That this protest is only allowed because it pre-dates the current legislation is very telling - can anyone else protest at parliament square and be heard? No. Thats facism. Excellent doc. Greenlight.
    interzone
  • Absolutely brilliant film, those people are amazing, I really respect them and what they are doing. I had no idea the atrocities that the government has done in the name of "counter-terrorism".

    Why are the police wasting time trying to arrest Brian and the others when apparently "we are at a higher risk of terrorism than at 9/11!"
    UK_Chris
  • Great film and full respect to anybody who stands up to free speech and our freedoms to express ourselves.

    Having campaigned for Fathers4Justice & Real Fathers For Justice, I know first hand how the Police and the State try to silence peaceful protest that exposes the Governments failings, and abuse of Human Rights.

    Keep up the anti-war protests. I'll keep up the family rights protest.
    doozy
  • eh12 5bs
    Civil liberties are rapidly disappearing in the UK thanks to Yo Blair,John Reid etc.
    campbell2644
  • What about our right as Londoners not to have one nutty guy litter the centre of our City? How about a single voice in the film that disagrees with your premise?
    charliebeckett
  • Good material, well put together. Nice choice of closing shots. Hand-held camera suits the subject. Your captions (name checks etc.) are too small in pt. size for the web. They're also far too quick; allow time to read each one at a slowish speed twice - that's the general rule. (It's an easy problem to fix.)
    OldVideoPro
  • Superb. Can't wait to see on TV

    (just slow the titles)
    hatsoff

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