Quakers condemn arrests of six at London meeting house

Quakers in Britain have condemned the arrests of six women who supported the activist group Youth Demand at the Westminster Meeting House in London. The faith group said the arrests were the first ever made at a Quaker meeting house and described them as an “aggressive violation.”

The Metropolitan Police said the six people were arrested on Thursday evening at the meeting house on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. The force said the arrests came amid concerns about plans to “shut down” London next month using tactics such as road blocks. Youth Demand said more than 30 officers took part in the arrests.

Youth Demand describes itself as a “new youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to genocide.” It began carrying out acts of civil disobedience last year. Its demands of the government include stopping all trade with Israel and raising money from “the super rich and fossil fuel elite” to pay damages for the effects of burning fossil fuels. Youth Demand, which is not affiliated with the Quakers, said the meeting had been “an opportunity to share plans for non-violent civil resistance actions” due to take place in April. The group said a number of houses were also raided on Thursday and Friday as part of the operation.

Paul Parker, of Quakers in Britain, said he could not recall anyone being arrested at a Quaker meeting house in living memory. “The forceful removal of young people holding a protest group meeting clearly shows what happens when a society criminalises protest,” he said. “Freedom of speech, assembly, and fair trials are an essential part of free public debate which underpins democracy.”

Quakers in Britain said: “Quakers support the right to non-violent public protest, acting themselves from a deep moral imperative to stand up against injustice and for our planet.” The group added that “many have taken non-violent direct action over the centuries from the abolition of slavery to women’s suffrage and prison reform.” Their commitment to non-violent witness reflects a wider call to peace in public life (Matthew 5:9).

Police said a further five people were arrested on Friday for the same offence, four at addresses in London and one in Exeter.

The Met said it understood the importance of the right to protest. It added that Youth Demand had stated an intention to “shut down” London in April. “We have a responsibility to intervene to prevent activity that crosses the line from protest into serious disruption and other criminality,” a spokesman said.

Source: Read the original report