Mandela behind bars
31st August 2007
It is a terrible irony that the great freedom-fighting icon of the 20th century has his statue placed in parliament square where freedom has been substantially curtailed by the labour government.
Brian Haw and his supporters welcomed Nelson Mandela to Parliament Square today, but the great man didn't see them as their pitch was hidden from him behind seven foot fencing and a media stage....
Not content with cramming the tents of Brian's supporters into a tiny area they then proceeded to hedge his pitch around with a large banner, a media stand, and an assortment of barriers, etc., to prevent Mandela from seeing it. This was followed up by the police hassling Brian and some of his supporters while Mandela was giving his message of freedom.
IndyMedia | 30th August 2007 plus film
Irony
Nelson Mandela statue is unveiled
A statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela has been unveiled in London.
Mr Mandela, 89, his wife Graca Machel, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were among those at the unveiling in Parliament Square.
Talking to crowds who gathered for the unveiling, Mr Mandela said:
"Though this statue is of one man, it should in actual fact symbolise all of those who have resisted oppression..."
Nelson Mandela behind bars once again