Catholics arrested for Iraq protests

-06/11/06

By Keith Hebden

Catholic Christians we


Catholics arrested for Iraq protests

-06/11/06

By Keith Hebden

Catholic Christians were arrested last weekend for protesting against the continuing occupation of Iraq.

The arrests came as they created a tented city outside Parliament.

The initiative sought to highlight the plight of refugees who have been displaced since the invasion.

Part of the ‘No More Fallujah’s Weekend of Action’ , it marked the second anniversary of the attack on the Iraqi city.

The Serious Organised Crime and Policing Act (SOCPA) banns all protests within 1km of Parliament that have not been given clearance.

The protest was not authorised by the police. Nonetheless Catholic Workers joined other peace groups to demonstrate in Parliament Square.

Eight members of the London Catholic Worker group took part in a protest against the continuing UK / US occupation of Iraq.

The London Catholic Workers are part of a world wide movement committed to acts of hospitality and protest.

Two members of the group, Steve Barnes and Martin Newell stayed overnight in Parliament Square, and were arrested and later released, for refusing to give their names to police under SOCPA.

Martin Newell, based in Hackney, said “This peace camp was conceived as a small act of solidarity with the thousands of refugees who fled Fallujahî.

ìWe refused to co-operate with the SOCPA law, created as a direct result of this ‘war on terror’î

Martin Newell added, ìBy doing this and risking arrest we hoped to dramatise and enact
the basic conflict between a Gospel of love for enemies, of peace and justice, and a system based on vengeance, violence and oppression.î

The Catholic Worker group had helped to organise the protest, backed by over 50 peace groups around the country.

150 people took part in the weekend of action.


Catholics arrested for Iraq protests

-06/11/06

By Keith Hebden

Catholic Christians were arrested last weekend for protesting against the continuing occupation of Iraq.

The arrests came as they created a tented city outside Parliament.

The initiative sought to highlight the plight of refugees who have been displaced since the invasion.

Part of the ‘No More Fallujah’s Weekend of Action’ , it marked the second anniversary of the attack on the Iraqi city.

The Serious Organised Crime and Policing Act (SOCPA) banns all protests within 1km of Parliament that have not been given clearance.

The protest was not authorised by the police. Nonetheless Catholic Workers joined other peace groups to demonstrate in Parliament Square.

Eight members of the London Catholic Worker group took part in a protest against the continuing UK / US occupation of Iraq.

The London Catholic Workers are part of a world wide movement committed to acts of hospitality and protest.

Two members of the group, Steve Barnes and Martin Newell stayed overnight in Parliament Square, and were arrested and later released, for refusing to give their names to police under SOCPA.

Martin Newell, based in Hackney, said “This peace camp was conceived as a small act of solidarity with the thousands of refugees who fled Fallujahî.

ìWe refused to co-operate with the SOCPA law, created as a direct result of this ‘war on terror’î

Martin Newell added, ìBy doing this and risking arrest we hoped to dramatise and enact
the basic conflict between a Gospel of love for enemies, of peace and justice, and a system based on vengeance, violence and oppression.î

The Catholic Worker group had helped to organise the protest, backed by over 50 peace groups around the country.

150 people took part in the weekend of action.