Dissent is Democracy

I've written a lot of articles and reports over the past few years, mainly for the newsletter of my local peace group. So as it's a year since Stop the War Coalition's 'Not One More Death' demonstration against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and since there are quite a few photos of the event on my iPeace page, I thought I'd include what I wrote then as my first blog entry.

Somewhat to my own surprise, I made it to Stop the War’s march on Monday 8 October. Tony Benn’s tremendous letter to the home secretary, Brian Eno’s article in the Guardian, and the desire to see London again after three and a half years, all played their part. But after the anxiety and fury I’d felt after the ban was imposed, I think I’d have got there anyway; it was a way of taking out my anger and doing something positive.

At the front of the rally in Trafalgar Square, I couldn’t sit down easily, so I braved the pain and was rewarded with a tremendous and inspiring rally. We all roared with triumph as we were told the ban had been lifted half an hour before - a ban based on an absurd and archaic law which would have severely impacted the freedom to protest in Britain. The speakers were fantastic, each in their different ways. As a long-time fan of Music for Airports and many other seminal, gorgeous albums, I was inevitably keen to hear Eno, and he was engaging and articulate as always. Tony Benn was inspiring to say the least, bringing the benefit of his long experience of protest, and giving us a terrific sense of the historic strength of people power. “The people always win in the end”, he said, which was just what I needed to hear and was appreciated by the rest of the crowd too, judging by the cheers of gratitude and appreciation.

The most powerful speech, however, was by Brian Haw. Starting with roars of “SHALOM!!! LOVE!!! PEACE!!!”, it had all his usual themes: the brutality, corruption and heartlessness of the warmongers, the suffering of children, and his Christian faith. “Love your neighbour as yourself!” he cried. “Love your neighbour’s children as your own!!!” Although a non-believer myself, I found this very moving, as Haw turns the religion of Bush, Blair and Brown against them, exposing their complete hypocrisy. And he isn’t mild about it! What he says may not be rocket science (as he reflected while collecting his Channel 4 political award), but his life is still a revolutionary one.

The police seemed tolerant as we made our way down Whitehall - one of the officers I passed had that new-kid look of worry on his face! We had to wait at Parliament Square as they were letting us through in stages, but as we entered the square I realised exactly where we were, aware of its recent history of repression. This is OUR square, I thought triumphantly, these are OUR parliament buildings!!! The suppression of free protest is always outrageous. ‘Dissent is Democracy’ proclaimed one placard, and I reflected how, with voter apathy about the election-or-no-election, this was true democracy in action. I hoped we’d always be able to do this, and that the full freedom to protest in this historic place would one day be restored again. So far under Brown, the signs don’t look too promising.

The YouTube video is worth watching. I hadn’t realised at the time that the police tried to stop further entry into the square, but on the video you can see many of those already in chanting irresistibly “LET THEM IN! LET THEM IN! LET THEM IN!” As so often at these protests, the sense of comradeship and 'people power' was amazing. Maybe it’s the feeling that we’re the ones with the moral high ground, but the good-humoured energy is a part of it as well, I think.

The new display of placards by the Parliament Square camp - conveniently arranged on the lovely new railings erected by the GLA, and yes I am being sarcastic - was a joy to see, after the theft of Brian Haw’s display and possessions last year. One banner was in support of the protesters in Burma; an expression of solidarity and a reminder of Brown’s hypocrisy. Brian’s camp had sprouted quite a few tents, but as I saw him chatting with his friends I noticed that as always there was real pain showing through on his face. Somehow the years of pain, persecution and the sacrifices he’s made are all there etched on his face. I don’t want to put him on a pedestal. He’s all too human like the rest of us, but everything he’s done and the sheer personal cost of his protest make him for me not just a hero for our time, but for all times.

Before leaving the square I bumped into a friend, and we hung around for a while soaking up the atmosphere. Some students sat in a circle and sang “We all live in a terrorist regime” to the tune of Yellow Submarine. They made me laugh; protesting can be joyful too. Another singer hammered out 'Masters of War' by Bob Dylan, for me one of the greatest of all protest songs. Its controlled fury is unmatched, and it chimed well with Brian Haw’s protest, with lyrics you could imagine him singing.

I got separated from my friend soon after, but it was good to see him. Unfortunately I left before the 'liberation of the square', when protesters dismantled the GLA railings - I'd love to have seen that, however temporary the result. I made my way home to Eastbourne, aching in all sorts of places, and kind of disbelieving at what I’d managed to do. Meanwhile I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet up with everyone I intended to see. I just hope it was as great an experience for them as it was for me, and let’s hope that the will and courage to protest will, in the end, bring the wishes of the people to government at last and these appalling wars and occupations to an end.