As Remembrance Sunday (10th November) and Armistice day (Mon 11th Nov) approach, Quakers are considering how to use this time to remember for peace, and say ‘never again’.

In a new blog on the Quakers in Britain website, Dixe Wills (Quaker Peace & Social Witness) reflects on remembrance and conscientious objection. He argues that hearing the stories of conscientious objectors – past and present – helps us to refocus Remembrance on the horrors of war and the need for peace.

“This coming Remembrance Day it’s doubtful there’ll be any mention of COs at most of the events held up and down the country. There may even be a sense that they have no place in such commemorations. And that may be one of the reasons Quakers have long been uneasy about the framing of the day.”

Read the full article: The ones who are forgotten on Remembrance Day.

Many Quaker Meetings will be selling white poppies to remember all victims of war, challenge militarism and promote a culture of peace. You can also order them directly from the Peace Pledge Union.

If you are in central Birmingham, our project Peace Hub has white poppies available, and you can also pop in to create an origami peace dove, to send a message to the Telford arms fair. At the same time you can visit the Bull St garden to see the beautiful Peace Poppy mosaics (pictured above) created by Quaker artist Caroline Jariwala.

“So, this Remembrance Day, let us remember not just the those who have lost their lives in war, but also those who have faced – and still face – persecution, social isolation, violence and imprisonment for refusing to take part in it.”