Quaker Meeting House suffers second Met Police raid

The Metropolitan Police have conducted a second raid on the Westminster Quaker Meeting House within a year, arresting 15 activists associated with the Take Back Power campaign. The group, which advocates for a wealth tax, had rented the space for nonviolent direct action training. Officers entered the meeting house on Thursday evening, 5 March, and detained the activists on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft. They were taken to Brixton and Walworth police stations, with one individual experiencing a panic attack and receiving medical attention.

This incident follows a similar raid at the same location a year earlier, which sparked widespread condemnation from across the religious community. In both cases, no arrests have resulted in formal charges. Oliver Robertson, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain, emphasized that while Quakers oppose theft, they support peaceful nonviolent direct action as a means to highlight injustice. He noted that such actions are increasingly being restricted by government policies.

Caroline Nursey, clerk of the Westminster Quaker Meeting, expressed concern over what she described as an attempt by the Metropolitan Police to intimidate the Quaker community into supporting government efforts to limit protest rights. She highlighted the historical context of Quaker resistance to state oppression, noting that the group has faced such challenges for over 350 years. Nursey stated that the Quakers will continue to provide space for nonviolent groups, provided appropriate checks are in place.

The broader issue of protest rights in the UK has drawn international attention. The country is the only Western European nation rated “obstructed” for civic freedoms by Civicus, and a UN Special Rapporteur has criticized the UK’s approach to civil liberties. A new clause in the Crime and Policing Bill, known as “cumulative disruption,” has raised concerns due to its broad and vague language, potentially impacting campaigns related to Palestine, climate justice, and peace.

Nursey criticized the Met’s actions, pointing out that the police were aware of the meeting’s purpose and that the indiscriminate arrest of all attendees constituted an overreach. She called for greater respect for the right to peaceful protest, a principle that aligns with Micah 6:8, which calls for acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. The Quaker community remains committed to its historical role in advocating for peace and justice, even in the face of ongoing challenges.

Source: Read the original report