tagged w/ Parliament Square
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The Met Police have closed down a camp of anti-war protesters during a two-hour raid in Parliament Square.
The camp was set up in the square next to the Houses of Parliament around 10 years ago but was closed down on Monday evening, using powers introduced with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act.
Between 10 and 12 protesters are believed to have been moved during the operation, bringing to an end the encampment that was originally established by activist Brian Haw, who died of cancer in June 2011.
Channel 4 News have reported that two protesters were arrested.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/01/201211761215501540.htmThe Met Police have closed down a camp of anti-war protesters during a two-hour raid... more
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The bride will arrive by car and leave in a carriage, as befits a newly minted princess.
Those key details and others about the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton emerged Wednesday in advance of their April 29 wedding at Westminster Abbey.
http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/ap/International/76595The bride will arrive by car and leave in a carriage, as befits a newly minted... more
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A short tribute film to Democracy Village and its peace activists before its dismantling by the authorities on behalf of London Mayor, Boris Johnson. Please credit film by Paul Treacy. 640x360. Available in HD 720x1280.A short tribute film to Democracy Village and its peace activists before its... more
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It's the end of Democracy Village at Parliament Square, after a court judge ruled for the peace protesters to be evicted. The article reports, Boris Johnson took the issue to court and said the camp "caused "considerable damage" and added that he was "pleased" with the ruling."-BBC. According to a spokesperson for the Mayor the camp caused damaged to square and prevented it's use for other Londoners.
The article says, protesters argue only the Queen can set ruling on areas like the London square and Green Party Assembly Member Jenny Jones is disappointed by the decision saying the mayor "was dogmatic in pursuing an expensive legal process."
"We all support peaceful protest, but it is completely unacceptable for parts of our city to be occupied and turned into no-go areas by vociferous minorities, however laudable each cause might be."-BBC quote from Westminster City Council.It's the end of Democracy Village at Parliament Square, after a court judge ruled... more
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By Marta Puigdemasa, le cool London
Have you passed by the Houses of Parliament recently? If so, you may have noticed that the number of “residents” in the Square has sky-rocketed. Want to know who they are? What their placards claim? How long they’ll be there? We recently dropped in on the inhabitants of the “Democracy Village” to have a chat about their causes and plight. Here’s what we found out.
On 1st May, when, according to polls, 63% of the British public wanted the troops brought home from Afghanistan and the general election was approaching, a group of activists descended upon Parliament Square, declaring the site ‘Democracy Village’ to protest, among other things, their lack of choice. “The three main parties were unanimous about the war, so there was no real option to say NO" according to Csan, one of such activists.
“Now the ‘village’ serves as a platform on which people can campaign the issues they feel passionate about: the war and foreign policies are the main points of focus, but some people are also into human rights in Iran, land reform, anarchism, communism, sustainable ways of living or anti-capitalism. We’re diverse on opinions but we’re united in our desire for change.”
One of the first things you notice on approaching the protest site, is that there isn't actually a pedestrian crossing to get to the square. You literally have to run across the road, dodging crazy drivers, black cabs and double-decker buses. (Boris Johnson’s lawyers accuse the campaigners of preventing other people from enjoying the open space, but in fact they haven’t made any access to it. No comment.)
The second thing you realise is that democracy itself is utterly confusing. Wandering about the square, you’ll see a man with a megaphone accusing Freemasons of multiple murders, Brian Haw, the Parliament Square Peace campaigner, who has resided there for nearly nine years and is now convinced everybody is either from the police or the MI5; he'll be next to Maria Gallastegui, who broke away from him in 2009 to shout a slightly different slogan: “Peace Strike”. And then, there’s a bunch of homeless people who find in the village a peaceful and warm place to sleep (some campaigners are now trying to treat their alcohol and drugs problems and find them decent place for them to live).
“That is what democracy looks like. It’s confusing. Freedom is confusing. Life is confusing. But I’d far rather be doing this than not do anything at all”, says Simon Moore, villager from 1st May and former resident of the recently evicted Kew Bridge Eco Village.
“In the current system, to do nothing is to consent to the murdering of innocent civilians all over the world. This is chaotic, we are not perfect at all, but at least we’re doing something,” he adds.
They are asking the government to remove troops from Afghanistan (before the elections, Cameron said he’d bring the soldiers home – within eight years!), to end the military funding of countries like Sri Lanka and Israel, to stop subsidising the arms trade, and so on. And they see having an ongoing protest camp in front of the building where all the decisions are taken, in the heart of the city, is the best way to raise awareness and get media coverage.
Furthermore, according to Moore, "We to claim the use of derelict and disused land on which we can start eco villages. In Britain, 90% of the people leave on concrete, but only 8% of Britain is concrete.”
So why do we live on such a tiny bit of space? “Because less than 1% of the population own more than 70% of the land. It’s not that people don’t want to live outdoors, in the countryside. I know a lot of people who do. The problem is that the resources are being kept away from us.”
Now the Democracy Villagers are facing a case in the High Court, a great achievement for them. The Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority are seeking not only a possession order of the square, but also an injunction, that might forbid anyone from organising or taking part in any assembly, display, representation, parade or possession within the area. They state that the Democracy Village is “unauthorised, a trespass, a public nuisance [...]”. And they also declare that it causes “harm [I guess aesthetic harm] to the interests of the public visiting the World Heritage Site in the immediate vicinity”.
Ok, so these are the Mayor’s points, but what do Londoners think? Vanessa Feltz’s BBC London radio programme recently asked that callers share their opinions on the matter. The responses were varied. Some said the camp has been there for so long that it no longer has any effect, others said seeing the protesters gives them joy, and those against the protest camp had merely one (and, in my opinion, weak) argument: that the protest was an eyesore. "Where is it written that a protest should be pretty?”, argued Feltz.
Come on guys, since when are aesthetics more important than freedom, peace and democracy? If we replaced the slovenly activists with hot fashion models dressed in Renaissance dresses, and swapped the tents for vintage décor, I wonder if the MPs drop by for afternoon tea.
Up till now, the court case has been adjourned. There will be a full (3-day) jury trial starting Friday 11th June 2010 at 10:30am (supporters are welcome at the High Court). They may get rid of the protestors, they may not; they may fence in the Square, they may not. Either way - the troops will still be in Afghanistan (or where ever the money/oil is) and likely, for years to come. The only thing that is clear, and with which all the campaigners agree: “Even if we get moved off, we will be coming back”.
All pictures by Marta Puigdemasa
By Marta Puigdemasa, le cool London
Have you passed by the Houses of... more
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lecool
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1 year ago
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Protesters at the “Democracy Village” camp opposite the Houses of Parliament shouted antiwar slogans as Queen Elizabeth’s made her way to address the Members of Parliament on Tuesday. London, UK. 25 May 2010
Earlier police searched the camp ahead of the State Opening of Parliament. Anti-war campaigner Brian Haw, who has been living on the green since 2001, and another protester Barbara Tucker were charged with obstructing police following their arrest during the search.
The camp, a collection of tents and colorful banners dubbed Democracy Village, sprang up on the 1st of May and anti-war demonstrators, climate change activists, and anti capitalist protesters have been living there every since.
During the peaceful protest on Tuesday, participants played music and held banners calling for changes to Britain’s electoral system.
A camper know as Tracey, dressed up as a cabaret queen told onlookers “I’m the new Queen. Liz can ride her bike. I’ve got her a bike over there.”
One of the protesters, prepared a banner reading: “We respect the soldiers but we do not support the war”.
He was keen to emphasize the camps’ non-violent protest message, “People are naive about modern day war – it’s portrayed as clean but actually it has got dirtier. The weapons are more lethal and barbaric – wiping out human lives with the touch of a button”.
He went on to say that he is “not overly fussed about the theatrics” of other protesters – which today included an alternative, somewhat alcohol fueled, Queen’s speech from the Square’s Tracey.
Tracey and her husband Tarquin are “the resident drunks” says Gareth, a land activist from Kew Bridge eco-village.
Gareth said the couple, alongside some activists such as the Election Meltdown group, are part of a minority who distract the public from the cause of the majority.
Some of the Democratic Village were annoyed when activists from the Election Meltdown group sent out a press release regarding their alternative speech, without consulting anyone.
Appealing against the demonstrators removal from the Square, Gareth said the protest was respectful and non-violent, adding: “It’s not exactly an easy ride – we’re living on a traffic island with the most horrific pollution”.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson is seeking legal action to remove the demonstrators camping in Parliament Square.Protesters at the “Democracy Village” camp opposite the Houses of... more
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An early morning tipoff call led me to these scenes in Parliament Square. The Winston Churchill statue had been converted into a concentration camp - barbed wire, bloodied babies and bleeding injuries.
http://jasonnparkinson.blogspot.com/An early morning tipoff call led me to these scenes in Parliament Square. The Winston... more
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Protesting in Parliament Square is a British tradition. Brian Haw has been at it for five years.Protesting in Parliament Square is a British tradition. Brian Haw has been at it for... more
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eleni
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added this
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5 years ago
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