"War is Still the Issue" [1]
"ILLEGAL" PARLIAMENT SQUARE PEACE CAMP TO CELEBRATE BLAIR'S DEPARTURE
"War is Still the Issue," say campers
12 noon, Saturday 23 June, Parliament Square: Peace activists will set up a
five-day "unauthorised" peace camp in Parliament Square, central London, to
celebrate Blair's departure, protest the continued occupations of Iraq and
Afghanistan, and highlight the fact that "War is Still the Issue." Campers
risk arrest and a possible £1000 fine for taking part [2].
The camp will remain in place around the clock until 12 noon on Thursday 28
June. Tony Blair is scheduled to step-down - and Gordon Brown become Prime
Minister - on Wednesday 27 June.
The campers - who will display dozens of specially-commissioned anti-war
road signs - will be joined by two members of the newly-formed group "Judges
Against War Crimes," as well as Lewis Carroll's famous creations,
TweedleBlair and TweedleBrown. The camp will also be a space for discussion,
art and education, with workshops taking place throughout the day [3].
One camper, Gabriel Carlyle (33) said:
"Blair wants us to forget his role in the deaths of over 600,000 Iraqis -
and thousands of Afghans - but our presence outside parliament will remind
him. His legacy is one of violent invasion and illegal war. If Brown wants
to be remembered differently his first job is to bring the troops home and
declare that he will not take part in any future attack on Iran."
1. The camp is organised by "War is Still the Issue" and supported by
anti-war groups JNV, the London Catholic Worker and Voices UK.
2. Under section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (April
2005) organising an "unauthorised" demonstration within 1km of Parliament is
a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for up to 51 weeks and a £2500
fine. Participating in such a demonstration is a criminal offence punishable
by a fine of up to £1000. For more info. see www.parliamentprotest.org.uk
3. For more information about the camp see www.WarIsStillTheIssue.org.
