Tate Britain has entered the debate over the Iraq war by exhibiting placards, postcards and banners that were assembled by Brian Haw in Parliament Square, opposite the House of Commons.

Mr Haw, a devout Christian, began his round-the-clock protest in the summer of 2001 following economic sanctions against Iraq. He continues to this day. The placards he assembled began to occupy the length of Parliament Square and became more than an eyesore for the government. Attempts to evict Mr Haw and remove his visual demonstration failed and many believe the government took the drastic measure of passing legislation banning unauthorised demonstration within a square kilometre of the parliament building, in principle to silence Mr Haw.

The police were thus provided with legislative cover and in May 2006 they duly obliged the government by removing most of the placards Mr Haw had assembled. Since than, Mr Haw has been restricted to demonstrating in an area only 3 metres in length.

A former Turner prize nominee Mark Wallinger has painstakingly recreated Mr Haw's 40-metre long display of demonstration placards, which were removed by the police. His exhibition is titled State Britain and fills the stately Duveen galleries in the Tate. Mr Wallinger faithfully incorporated over 600 banners, placards, teddy bears wearing slogans, and even the curled up sticky tape used to stick the banners together. In an interview, he said, "It kept being described as an eyesore when it was in the square, I don't know what Baghdad is in comparison."

From friends to foes, Mr Haw has been described in a number of ways from a champion to being deranged. Either way, you would be hard pushed to find anyone describe him or his "work of demonstration" as art.

Some critics of the anti-war movement may accuse the Tate of providing fuel for the anti-war movement. But in reality the Tate has provided through "art" an avenue to preserve our cherished freedom of expression, which Mr Blair's government has tried to curtail. There are also greater British values at work, as Mr Haw's placards show his personal endurance and commitment to beliefs which transcend the social classes.

In effect, the sentiments of the anti-war movement today subscribed to by a significant majority of people in this country, has found a natural home in the Tate as epitomised by one of its ardent supporters. It is within reason to say when an ideology, such as the anti-war movement, as adopted by the old and young, atheists and religious, rich and poor, has in effect become a British way life and a value we cherish. Dare I say that those who are an obstacle to "our way" need to change if they wish to rule over us?

First published on www.commentisfree.guardian.co.uk