Heavy handed police action at Quaker Meeting House.

The young people were also concerned about climate change, according to the Quakers.

"Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “No-one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory.

“This aggressive violation of our place of worship and the forceful removal of young people holding a protest group meeting clearly shows what happens when a society criminalises protest.

“Freedom of speech, assembly, and fair trials are an essential part of free public debate which underpins democracy."

This should concern us all.

Here is a news article with more information

uknip.co.uk/news/uk/breaking/nine-arrested-in-major-police-crackdown-on-youth-demand-welcome-event/

It’s reported like 30 policemen went in against only 6 young people.

But 6 were arrested out of how many present? 60? 80? 100?

What were they arrested for?

It’s very selective reporting to say the least, inference by omission.

I would expect better from Quakers.

Quote glasshalffullagain Fri 28-Mar-25 19:34:07
Anniebach
Jews are very decent people
Really, its so sad this obsession.

Obsession ? why ?

MayBee70

When I was in a multilateral nuclear disarmament group decades ago we used to meet at a Friends Meeting house. They are very anti war. Some of us were convinced our phones were being tapped!

Quakers are and always have been pacifists.

They have been hounded throughout the centuries, - think of the Mayflower.

The Religious Society of Friends (colloquially Friends or Quakers) was an extreme puritanical group founded by George Fox in 1647 and had its chief strength in north west England. [Note this date, all those who mistakenly believe that the Mayflower was loaded with Quakers in 1620!)27 Apr 2023

Puritans and Calvinists on the Mayflower yes ?

Goodness me. I wonder why this has happened

I stand corrected!

The Quakers left because of religious persecution later in the 17th century.

I got carried away, as we were taught in school - clearly incorrect- that the Mayflower left the Barbican with Quakers on board. I went to school in Plymouth. Teachers are not always correct!!

I had very dear friends who were Calvinists, until i met them at a pray group I thought those on the Mayflower were Quakers

I've been a Quaker since 1994.
There are some very strange stories about its beginnings and characterisations on here.

Oh at least you can put us right.

Are Quakers pacifists as I’ve read please?

Lathyrus3

It’s reported like 30 policemen went in against only 6 young people.

But 6 were arrested out of how many present? 60? 80? 100?

What were they arrested for?

It’s very selective reporting to say the least, inference by omission.

I would expect better from Quakers.

and they were all young women.. completely disgusting

Young women never break the law ?

The Friends Meeting Houses can be rented out to any group. I used to go to a Qi Gong Group which met in a Friends Meeting House. None of us were Quakers. It was just like meeting in a village hall to us.

Whitewavemark2

Oh at least you can put us right.

Are Quakers pacifists as I’ve read please?

Many not all.

For example in WW2 the dangers of Hitler and meant many young Quakers did join the armed forces not only as support (ambulance etc) workers.
Others very active in Kindertransport and in 1947 The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1947 jointly to American and British Quakers for their role in assisting Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. Also going to Germany after the war as aid workers. Involved in SA Peace and Reconciliation committees and internationally in peace and reconciliation efforts.

There isn't a "party line", its always been a matter of individual consciences. There will be different ideas (ie many don't support the nature of the stop the oil protests). Also some Quakers aren't "Activists" just like any group that varies.

Anniebach

The Religious Society of Friends (colloquially Friends or Quakers) was an extreme puritanical group founded by George Fox in 1647 and had its chief strength in north west England. [Note this date, all those who mistakenly believe that the Mayflower was loaded with Quakers in 1620!)27 Apr 2023

Puritans and Calvinists on the Mayflower yes ?

Errmm! I live in a town in the East of England, which has a long-standing Quaker tradition. There's still a Quaker Meeting House, which has been on the same site since 1676. Much of the town's original infrastructure was built by Quakers. The whole area has a history of Quakerism. It wasn't just North West England.

Sparklefizz

The Friends Meeting Houses can be rented out to any group. I used to go to a Qi Gong Group which met in a Friends Meeting House. None of us were Quakers. It was just like meeting in a village hall to us.

They wouldn't (knowingly) rent out to any group advocating violent protest.

So it’s an exterior group, that would make more sense

They certainly weren't an "extreme puritanical group". From the start, men and women were equal and there have never been priests of vicars. You'll often find people from different or no religious traditions in a Quaker meeting.

JaneJudge

So it’s an exterior group, that would make more sense

Well, some Quakers may or may not have been involved, we just don't know, nor what they were supposed to be plotting that warranted violent entry to a peaceful meeting.

I'm a Quaker. I hadn't heard of this assault by the police at a place of worship. Quakers are pacifist so I doubt they would be planning an attack of any kind.
They may have been planning a peaceful protest.

I absolutely loathe the protests described, I however absolutely support their right to protest and if this is accurate have grave concerns about the police action.

We don't know what they were discussing Galaxy

Here's an interesting page of comments on the event on Bluesky page

Worth a peep.

bsky.app/profile/quaker.org.uk/post/3llhbjp5s322b

It in a sense doesnt matter what they were discussing. I would feel the same if they were protesting in favour of womens rights or if they were an anti abortion group.

Wyllow3

Here is a news article with more information

uknip.co.uk/news/uk/breaking/nine-arrested-in-major-police-crackdown-on-youth-demand-welcome-event/

Thanks for the link.Goes quite a way to explaining police action.
The group want to ‘shut London down day after day in April’
That’s their aim.