In a bid to express their discontent, Quaker Support for Climate Action is organizing a Meeting for Worship outside New Scotland Yard on Friday. This gathering, based on silence, will reflect their principles of peace and love.
The peaceful demonstration is a reaction to a recent police operation at the Quaker’s Westminster Meeting House, where over 20 officers conducted a raid. This intervention led to the arrest of six young women linked to the protest group Youth Demand.
Youth Demand, which is not officially connected to the Quakers, had been utilizing the meeting house to devise plans for “non-violent civil resistance actions.” The police stated that these actions aimed to “shut down” London.
The group, known for its acts of “civil disobedience,” describes itself as a “new youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to genocide,” with a stance that is broadly anti-Israel and against climate change.
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, expressed strong disapproval of the police raid, noting it was unprecedented in recent memory for arrests to occur in a Quaker meeting house.
The Meeting for Worship will occur from noon to 1 pm on Friday, as a show of solidarity and protest against the police’s actions.
Phil Laurie, facilitator of Quaker Support for Climate Action, explained the intent behind the gathering, stating: “Quaker Meetings for Worship (MfW) are based on silence. We are holding this MfW to envelop the Police HQ in love and peace.”
He further remarked, “In raiding the Quaker Meeting House in Westminster the Metropolitan Police brought violence to a house of peace.”
Laurie emphasized, “Our aim is to bring love and peace to replace the police violence and demonstrate a different approach to dealing with difficult situations.”
He concluded, “We are a community of worship. We will not be threatened by force into abandoning our principles. Our Meeting Houses will remain open to those that work to build a better future.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
