Quakers in Britain have called for rights to be restored after police raid on Westminster Meeting House, in a statement released on Tuesday:
The police raid on Westminster Quaker meeting house last Thursday was a massively disproportionate response to the legitimate concerns of UK citizens.
A force of 20 officers broke open the door without warning, arresting six young people who had hired a room to discuss climate change and peace in Gaza.
Since the story broke, Quakers have been overwhelmed by messages of support, from other faiths horrified at the violation of a place of worship, from people around the world, from the public who clearly see this for what it is: appalling police overreach. Questions have even been raised in the House of Commons.
Oliver Robertson, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain, said:
“This raid is not an isolated incident. It reflects a growing trend of excessive policing under new laws brought in by the previous government, which are now being enforced by the current administration.”
This afternoon (Thurs 3rd April) over 300 people joined a Meeting for Worship outside New Scotland Yard to uphold our worshipping community and support all who speak up for truth and integrity in the face of increasing state oppression. 300 more joined online, and there were solidarity Meetings for Worship in other places as well.
Write to your MP
Friends are invited to take action by writing to your MP, using a guide created by Quakers in Britain. If you only have five minutes, you can choose some suggested text in the template email in the guide, add your name and contact details and email it to your MP.
If you would like to personalise your email more, you can find some more information about the police raid at the bottom of this document. Feel free to use the template email in the guide as a starting point, or to write your own email using this information.
No need to break down the door
Quakers in Britain are encouraging local meetings to use their presence online and in community to highlight that no-one needs to smash down the doors of our meeting houses because we are a welcoming and inclusive church. This could also be accompanied by a picture of friendly, welcoming Friends standing next to the open doors of their meeting house.
Derby Quakers have posted on their door:
A Polite notice to Police.
Derby Quakers are peaceful. So… If you want to enter our Meeting House… please ring the bell… and leave your taser at the front door. Thank you.
Any meetings that would like to discuss these issues or seek advice from Quakers in Britain can contact supportmeetings@quaker.org.uk or our Local Development Work Hilary Topp LDW-WestMids@quaker.org.uk
Friends and others who would like to discuss issues around protest and witness are also welcome to contact our project Peace Hub. It is important that we continue meeting together peacefully and speaking truth to power.