We need to make peace in Parliament Square.

If not here, where?

PLEA FOR PEACE IN PARLIAMENT SQUARE

We urgently NEED to make the Peace in Parliament Square,for the sake of the people on who’s behalf we are suppose to be campaigning for.

There are deep rooted grievances at the Square that should be put aside if we are to have any real chance of working effectively for peace.

Any personal allegations made against individuals in the Peacestrike Campaign can be dealt with and we are willing to do so. We can defend our actions if required.

Peacestrike is working to promote peace for all people. We do not promote any acts of confrontation or abuse, aimed at anyone. We do not encourage any abuse of ANY individual, regardless who they are. We may have made mistakes. If we have faltered, then we have apologised. We are open to discussion and indeed we would like open dialogue with everyone at the Square. If there is a problem then we….

NEED TO TALK!

With the impending threat of the new ‘POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL’ going through Parliament right now, this would be a good time to unite for the common cause of defending Parliament Square for the RIGHT reasons. Surly we can do that?

BOTTOM LINE…..IF WE ARE UNABLE, AS A PEACE MOVEMENT,TO SORT OUT OUR OWN HOUSE, HOW ARE WE SUPPOSE TO RECONCILE THE TRAGIC ISSUES OF ISRAEL, PALESTINE AND AFGHANISTAN ETC?

We are not asking people to come down to the Square and take sides or get involved in all the “negative” issues. We send out this plea for people to come down to promote peace and spread some love, in order to lift the very heavy atmosphere that hangs over the place at present. There is also quite a large group of homeless people. They are disenfranchised and distressed at times. However, they are trying to survive, and are generally in good humour, despite obvious struggles and issues. We all need support and encouragement…..It is not our place to say whether they should be at the Square or not. The point is, until they are moved on, for whatever reason, they are entitled to be there. At present, it is their home.

The peace movement is not Parliament Square, it is made up of all the campaigns, groups, and individuals who speak out against oppresion and injustice. We are all a part of the on-going struggle, and we are all linked in the work we collectively do. We are not separate, and we all need each others support. No one does it on their own!

We may not be able to heal the individual relationship breakdowns that have taken hold in the Square, but we must not allow it to become a “NO GO ZONE! Come along and bring some peace, positive thoughts and views. Above all, don’t go away disenchanted!  Without effort and goodwill there is no hope for change.

WE HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL DUTY, AND RESPONSIBILITY, TO ALL VICTIMS OF WAR AND OPPRESSION, TO SET ASIDE OUR PERSONAL DIFFERENCES.

This message goes out in good faith.

Maria Gallastegui

Peacestrike Campaign

Parliament Square

15th June 2011

THREAT OF EVICTION  * HIGHWAYS ACT 1980 and HIGH COURT INJUNCTION *

On the afternoon of the 17th January, we received a letter from Westminster City Council stating that we are an unlawful obstruction on the pavement opposite the Houses of Parliament. Also to make certain they achieve their objective, they have applied to the High Court for an injunction. They wanted a written reply by 12pm Friday 21st. The letter was confusing as it stated that all articles will be removed by 5pm, if we did not comply. We have replied to the legal department of Westminster City Council and have made it clear we intend to defend our ongoing stand at Parliament Square.

We are now subject to legal proceedings, to be heard in the High Courts of Justice, sometime in March….

Peacestrike has occupied this area for the past 2 years with tents and display structures. To date, we have received  no official complaints regarding obstruction, hygiene issues, or complaints regarding abusive or disruptive  behavior. We take pride in the management of  our on-going 24hr demonstration and accept we have a social responsibility in keeping our area in good order.

Peacestrike also has two large box / plinth structures. One has been there since November 2009. We standby their legality, in keeping with the police dimensions stipulated in SOCPA ACT 2005.

Peacestrike has four SOCPA ACT 2005 authorisations at Parliament Square and one in Whitehall. The threat to these rights should be through new legislation. The repeal of SOCPA ACT 2005 is in proposed legislation contained in the ‘Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill’. This  is now reached  committee stage in the House of Commons. They ask people to submit objections, recommendations and concerns, to the committee by Feb……. If passed by both Houses, it will not come into law until after the Royal wedding. This is due process and proper procedure, and allows time for people to organise a counter argument and open the discussion to all parties who may be affected by such legislation. We feel that the SOCPA ACT 2005 and the European Convention of Human Rights, Articles 10 and 11 surly cannot be overturned by Highway legislation. besides,very few people venture onto Parliament Square since it has been fenced off since July 2010.

It seems that Westminster City Council and the Government wish to Pre-empt this law in order to rid themselves of demonstrations in Parliament Square right now. The problem is that in their haste, yet again, they are in great danger of ‘Throwing the baby out with the bath water!’

We feel it necessary, due to the change in circumstances, to make this statement on behalf of the good people of this country who are unaware of the serious threat to our great history of protest. If we do not act now, 24hr overnight protest will be outlawed. The reasons the demonstrations at Parliament Square have gone on for so long is directly connected to our on-going wars and illegal occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. Remember, people, children, and soldiers are killed and seriously wounded every day!

We have a heavy burden of responsibility to get this right, as time is short. As yet, there has been no real opportunity for public opposition or debate. All the media has centred on the concerns of the Home Office, politicians, council, GLA, and the police. Do we really want our Government to send a message out to the world that protest is stifled and now timetabled and controlled. In emergencies people will naturally not want to go home, such as the Tamils in 2009. Emotions cannot, and never will be controlled by legislation, especially if the Government of the day is responsible for the atrocities. The people of the country always have a duty to express their concerns. We should always have the right to be angry and outraged. The Public Order Act 1980 has always been available to the police, if things get out of hand. Other countries do not share this great privilege,therefore because we can we must be the voice for the voiceless.

The Royal Family should be proud and protective of our heritage. We need to have a very frank and open discussion concerning this very important and historic right.

There are many examples of on-going demonstrations of similar standing throughout the world.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, Australia, which has been there for over 39 years, since 1972 . It will continue, until the full rights of the Aboriginal People are restored.

http://www.indigenousaustralia.info/land/land-rights/the-tent-embassy.html

White House Peace Camp. A lady called Concepcion Picciotto has been outside the White House for 30 years, since 1981

http://www.prop1.org/conchita/

Faslane Peace Camp, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Established in 1984…… some 28 years ago!

Located by Faslane Nuclear Submarine Base.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faslane_Peace_Camp

Vancouver, Canada on-going protest, 4 years plus.

Recently won British Columbia Court of Appeal regarding Falun Gong on-going protest outside Chinese Consulate. Court over ruled Vancouver City Bylaws as unconstitutional, Oct 21^st 2010.

http://mwcnews.net/news/americas/6059-falun-gong-wins-court-battle-against-chinese-consulate.htm

Chinese Embassy……over 8 years….Portland Place London, 24hr, on-going….Falun Gong Practitioners. Started 5^th June 2002.

http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2010/7/23/118782.html

Winnie the pig resided in a pen in Parliament Square, by the Churchill Statue, for 3 months between Feb – May 2000. There did not seem to be any objection at the time, indeed it would have been considered very British. Also, spent a day opposite Downing Street March 2008, and was visited by celebrities and MP’s and Lord Tebbit. Maybe she was tolerated, as the pig could not talk back!

http://www.pigworld.co.uk/Pages/winnie-the-pig.html

Democracy Village. Established in run up to election May1st, 2010 in Parliament Square, London. lasted 3 months. SOCPA ACT 2005 was never used.

Royalty and Politicians have to live in the real world where protest is essential to the Democratic process. We do not live in a sanitised country or world,nor would we want to. As long as protest is reasonable and peaceful, we feel we have every right to keep going….

We therefore invite Royalty, Politicians,Police, Council Officials, GLA, Journalists, Lawyers and Campaigners to a meeting in the House of Commons. We are trying to get a committee room made available as soon as possible. We are confident we can come to an amicable agreement to suit all parties concerned.

Without discussion there is no way forward.

If dialogue fails ,or is just ignored, then Peacestrike intends to stand firm at Parliament Square,  regardless of the consequences.

Maria Gallastegui

Peacestrike Campaign                       www.peacestrike.org

Parliament Square 07907 233 861    maria@peacestrike.org

Emails will be sent to parties concerned.

Peacestrike acknowledges that the Parliament Square Peace Campaign is a separate campaign, and may not share the same views as expressed by Peacestrike.

Peace Strike operates a 24hr on-going Peace camp / Picket at Parliament Square,

UK.

We are

‘ON STRIKE FOR PEACE’

Since 2007…….

The White Flag Revolution will be hosting a mass rally starting at 10am on the 1st of December 2010.
Lets fill Whitehall to bursting point to make our Government listen to the concerns of the British people.
Lets hold them to account. We demand an end to the Afghanistan war!, and the return of our troops to the UK. We want to prevent an expansion to any war in Iran. This war which is unwinnable must end now!
Only the people can make this happen, if you want peace then its upto you to come.

You can also follow our “white flag revolution” channel on you tube

WHITE FLAG REVOLUTION  “END THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN”

Authorised SOCPA 2005 Demonstration in Whitehall by Peacestrike from 4.30 Trafalgar Square, London.

Also UK wide and NATO countries.

Peacestrike is committed to peace for all.

We are also committed to the right of the people of this country be able to speak out and be taken seriously by the Government of the day.

Our concerns in calling a General Peace Strike stem from the fact that the UK Government has not taken on board, or addressed to date, the real concerns of the majority of the British Public. We are tired of war….we are tired of the lies….we are tired of the futile deaths of both soldiers and civilians on both sides. We are tired of the excuse that we are delivering Democracy to a Nation that will one day supposedly thank us.

We all know this is a corporate war, not on behalf of any people, but for oil, drugs and rich mineral deposits. It is a global operation of plunder and deception.

Back at home we are facing the most severe financial cuts since the pre-war 1930’s.

We therefore feel that the time is right for the people to take the issue that has cost every person so dearly, and deliver our concerns to the very door where the problem stems.

We ask all who participate to act in a peaceful courteous manner at all times.

We have no argument with the police, indeed we have no argument with the Government. We do not wish to debate, discuss,negotiate, that time has passed… We come in peace to deliver a determined message that:

WE MUST HAVE OUR SOLDIERS RETURNED HOME!

We need to break the NATO coalition and in doing so, prevent more wars. The time has come for peace. Only the people of the country can get the troops home. We must act now while we still have this window of opportunity open……

TAKE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. We will not be doing any harm and indeed we have a moral duty to speak out on behalf of other people who are denied a voice. We have a great country, however we are responsible for so many needless deaths in a foreign land that most of us will never visit or even know where it is on the map. We need to restore our self respect.  The time to act is NOW!

Be prepared to stay as long as possible….or rotate shifts….bring tents, sleeping bags, roll mats, waterproofs,warm clothes,umbrellas, space blankets, food, drink, charged mobile phones,cameras……

Best wishes, and congratulations to all for making a historic stand for peace!

Ref; 4th August 2010 -http://www.stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1426/1/

(cut and paste the link above to your browser for an archived reference.)

#PRESS RELEASE#   00.45 Tuesday 20th July 2010 Parliament Square
“Democracy Village goes on STRIKE!”

“Concerned Citizens”at Democracy Village on Parliament Square state in open defiance of the pending eviction notice that they fully intend to carry on with their demand to “Bring Our Soldiers Home Alive!”

The majority of the people in this country DO NOT SUPPORT THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN!

Young people want a future free from war and deprivation. We now have a whole generation of disenfranchised youth who are disillusioned with a government that spends our money on illegal wars of aggression and illegal occupations.

We refuse to comply with laws that prevent our message going out to the people from Parliament Square, the historical home of protest. People only gather together to risk arrest and possible imprisonment if their concerns are of the utmost urgency.

Therefore to go “ON STRIKE for PEACE” to save life is our duty and can never be illegal if the underlying cause is justified.

On 2nd October Maria won a case in Westminster Magistrates Court against a charge under the Public Order Act. She was arrested for ‘insulting behaviour’ when she climbed up the Churchill Statue in Parliament Square with placards highlighting the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka held in atrocious conditions in military camps. Maria was charged after a complaint by Nicholas Soames MP, Winston Churchill’s grandson, who happened to be driving into the Houses of Parliament at the time.

Maria represented herself and successfully argued that any offence caused to Nicholas Soames was unintentional and that references on her placards to nazi concentration camps was legitimate for campaigning purposes.

See the story of Maria on the statue from July