DoomsdaysCW<p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Quakers" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Quakers</span></a> condemn arrests of <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/activists" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>activists</span></a> at meeting house</p><p>March 30, 2025</p><p>"The arrests of six female supporters of activist group <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/YouthDemand" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>YouthDemand</span></a> at a Quaker meeting house have been condemned by the faith group.</p><p>"Quakers in <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Britain" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Britain</span></a> said the arrests were the first at a meeting house and 'an aggressive violation'.</p><p>"The Metropolitan Police said six people were arrested on Thursday evening at the Westminster Meeting House on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/PublicNuisance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PublicNuisance</span></a>.</p><p>"The force said it came amid concerns there were plans to 'shut down' London during April using tactics such as road blocks.</p><p>"Youth Demand said more than 30 officers were involved with making the arrests.</p><p>"Paul Parker, of Quakers in Britain, said he could not recall anyone being arrested at a Quaker meeting house in living memory.</p><p>"'The forceful removal of young people holding a protest group meeting clearly shows what happens when a society <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriminalisesProtest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CriminalisesProtest</span></a>.</p><p>"'<a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FreedomOfSpeech" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>FreedomOfSpeech</span></a>, assembly, and fair trials are an essential part of free public debate which underpins <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/democracy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>democracy</span></a>,' he said.</p><p>"Police said a further five arrests for the same offence were made on Friday - four at addresses in <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/London" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>London</span></a> and one in <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Exeter" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Exeter</span></a>.</p><p>"Youth Demand, which is not affiliated with the Quakers, said the meeting was 'an opportunity to share plans for non-violent <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CivilResistance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CivilResistance</span></a> actions' due to take place in April.</p><p>"The group claimed a number of houses were also raided on Thursday and Friday as part of the operation.</p><p>"Quakers in Britain said: 'Quakers support the right to non-violent public protest, acting themselves from a deep moral imperative to stand up against <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/injustice" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>injustice</span></a> and for our planet.</p><p>"'Many have taken non-violent direct action over the centuries from the abolition of <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/slavery" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>slavery</span></a> to women's <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/suffrage" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>suffrage</span></a> and prison reform.'</p><p>"The Met said the force understood the importance of the right to protest but added that Youth Demand had stated an intention to 'shut down' London in April.</p><p>"'We have a responsibility to intervene to prevent activity that crosses the line from protest into serious disruption and other criminality,' a spokesman said.</p><p>"On Thursday, officers raided a Youth Demand planning meeting where those in attendance were plotting their April action.</p><p>"Six people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.</p><p>"A further five arrests for the same offence were made on Friday, 28 March. Four of the arrests were at addresses in London and one in Exeter.</p><p>'Policing priorities'</p><p>"Out of the 11 people arrested, 10 have been released on bail and one will face no further action.</p><p>"Asked about the matter on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'I have made clear to the police this government's priorities for policing are reducing serious violence... and bringing back neighbourhood policing, those crimes in town centres like shoplifting.'</p><p>"Youth Demand, which describes itself as a 'new youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/genocide" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>genocide</span></a>', began carrying out acts of <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CivilDisobedience" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CivilDisobedience</span></a> last year.</p><p>"Its demands of the government include stopping all trade with <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Israel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Israel</span></a> and raising money from 'the <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SuperRich" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SuperRich</span></a> and <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Fossilfuel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Fossilfuel</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/elite" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>elite</span></a>' to pay damages for the effects of fossil fuel burning."</p><p>Read more:<br><a href="https://bbc.com/news/articles/cj3x5j6g30ro" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bbc.com/news/articles/cj3x5j6g</span><span class="invisible">30ro</span></a><br><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/UKPol" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>UKPol</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ThoughtCrime" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ThoughtCrime</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriminalizingDissent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CriminalizingDissent</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CriminalizingActivism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CriminalizingActivism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/PublicNuisanceLaws" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PublicNuisanceLaws</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Article20" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Article20</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/2023PublicOrderAct" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>2023PublicOrderAct</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Resistance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Resistance</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/UKResistance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>UKResistance</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ProtectMotherEarth" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ProtectMotherEarth</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FreePalestine" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>FreePalestine</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/IsraeliWarCrimes" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>IsraeliWarCrimes</span></a></p>