In a rare show of unity, British churches have rallied together to voice their concern over a contentious police operation at a Quaker meeting house in late March.
On March 27, approximately 20 officers from the Metropolitan Police executed a forceful entry into the Westminster Quaker Meeting House, leading to the arrest of six young women associated with the activist group Youth Demand.
Youth Demand, known for its civil disobedience campaigns focused on climate change and anti-Israel activities, utilized the Quaker premises for their meetings even though they are not officially linked to the Quakers.
The group maintains that their gathering was intended for planning upcoming protests, whereas the police allege their activities could have disrupted London significantly.
Regardless of the group’s intentions, Churches Together in England, an organization representing numerous Christian denominations, has criticized the police’s aggressive approach during the raid.
They highlighted the presence of a Quaker Elder during the incident, suggesting that a simple request to enter could have prevented the need for force and subsequent damage to the property.
In a letter addressed to Sir Mark Rowley, head of the Metropolitan Police, Bishop Mike Royal, general secretary of Churches Together in England, expressed profound concern, stating that the group supports “the principle of the right to peaceful protest” and is troubled by the “unnecessary forced entry to a place used for worship.”
The organization also called for a police review of the incident and requested a meeting with Quaker leaders to ensure similar situations are avoided in the future.
The open letter was also shared with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
