‘The voice of those who could not be heard’: Statue commemorates peace campaigner

A permanent statue of a powerful peace campaigner was unveiled in Lambeth by three of his children yesterday afternoon.

Brian Haw began a peace protest against the war in Iraq and UK and US foreign policy, on the grass at Parliament Square in Westminster in June 2001. 

He stayed there for almost 10 years until he was removed shortly before his death in 2011, aged 62.

Mr Haw will be remembered by a small statue in Lambeth Road, opposite the Imperial War Museum. The location marks the edge of the exclusion zone created by authorities in 2005 in an attempt to move Mr Haw’s protest from outside Parliament.

Engraved into the stone beneath the statue are the words: “Stop killing the kids!”

The statue was unveiled by three of Mr Haw’s seven children, Peter, Rob and Maria. 

In a statement, they said: “Dad had a voice – made louder with the help of a megaphone of course. He chose to use this to become the voice of those who could not be heard. 

“To some, he was a nuisance. To many, he was their voice and conscience. But most importantly to us, he was our dad.

“This amazing tribute depicts the sacrifices dad made to stand up for what he, and many others, truly believed in. 

“His unwavering commitment and steadfastness is etched into every inch of this wonderful statue.

“Dad saw three Prime Ministers come and go. His beautiful bronze statue will remain to see many more and will safeguard his legacy as a man who sacrificed all for peace.”

The 72cm-tall maquette was sculpted by artist Amanda Ward.

She said: “I made the form of Brian Haw at the stage in his life when he was worn down from the sheer punishment of living on the pavement for so long, let alone making loud, persistent vocal protests and enduring countless attempts by politicians and police to eject him. 

“I’m sure he would approve of his figure standing here now.”

More than 1,000 members of the public have contributed to raise more than £25,000 towards the costs of the statue and its installation.

The unveiling event was attended by project supporters, including actor Mark Rylance, John McDonnell MP, founding members of Stop The War Coalition Chris Nineham and Lindsey German, and artist, musician and writer, Brian Eno.

Mr Rylance said: “Once again, Brian Haw is a presence in London. For 10 years, the grass outside Westminster was his, and now he has a new permanent, symbolic and resonant home. 

“He shouted loudly for peace and inspired many people and many protests, including the 2003 Stop the war march against the Iraq war, which brought two million people to the city’s streets. 

“At a time of massive global uncertainty, we are pleased to have Brian back and hope that he will continue to inspire generations of people to shout for peace as loudly as possible.”

A free exhibition of photographs of Brian Haw’s Parliament Square Peace Campaign by Richard Keith Wolff will run at the School of Historical Dress from March 16 to 23.

Pictured top: Anti-war protester Brian Haw in May 2006 (Picture: Guy Bell / Alamy Stock Photo)