I wonder if the participants of the “Peace Camp” at Parliament Square in London have ever noticed the irony of protesting against all kinds of wars under the amused eyes of Winston Churchill.
(C) Andreas Moser
The “Peace Camp” is a continuous protest for, against and about an unclear litany of foreign policy issues. The camp has been in place outside the Houses of Parliament for more than 10 years now, not having achieved any of its aims, but successful in showing how relaxed the British democracy deals with protests at the doorsteps of its Parliament.
The Happy Hermit 
Their motto, or slogan, or whatever you call it, is rather vague. “To Stop War, The People Must Stop”. Stop what? Stop to read their brochures or to chat up the campers? Stop supporting politicians who make war? Stop making war themselves? (That one is pretty hard – if you’re reading the banner in person, you’re not at war.) Stop standing around reading bizarre phrases posted by people who don’t seem to be doing anything?
I applaud their dedication, whatever they are dedicated to. But maybe a few quid for an ad copy writer might help?
Following on from what John says, why is the chap behind him carrying a banner saying ECAEP?
OMG I bet anti-capitalist protestors haven’t realised the irony of protesting while wearing clothes MADE BY CAPITALISTS.
Really, really dumb post. If you are going to protest near centres of power, you’re not going to have much choice about what statues there are around you.
Really, really dumb.
“OMG I bet anti-capitalist protestors haven’t realised the irony of protesting while wearing clothes MADE BY CAPITALISTS” oh yea, they probably has the label MADE IN CHINA instead, a “CAPITALIST” place of course
Brian Haw was fully aware of the irony of having Winston Churchill overlooking his pitch, often gesticulating towards him as another ‘warmonger’. And yes, while the peace camp grew sometimes its motives and aims were wild and varied, Brian Haw was always focused on the evil of all wars driven as much by his religious convictions as anything political.
And I must take issue with the notion the length of the demonstration shows ‘how relaxed the British democracy deals with protests at the doorsteps of its Parliament’.
Never has any demonstration been the focus of such much pressure from politicians and the law. There was no level of government which did not try and shift him. Westminster Council, Ken Livingstone, Boris Johnson, Blair’s government and the coalition all plotted to move him. He went through the magistrates’ courts on dozens of occasions and right up to the High Court.
http://northbriton45.blogspot.com/2011/06/on-brian-haws-death.html
Incredibly insightful comment.
If you found that “ironic”, here are some more ironies I think you will enjoy:
Rain on your wedding day
A free ride when you’ve already paid
10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife
They just could not bring him down – despite their best efforts he stood his ground but never went down.
good old churchill!
I agree with Jim Trueman above. There is nothing worse than looking for a knife, only to find 10,000 spoons. Damn shared houses, never properly equipped.
They managed to obscure this peace camp very well when it was the royal wedding.