Police raid London Quaker house, arrest six activists discussing climate protests

Police in London arrested six people who were meeting at a Quaker house discussing climate

change and peace in Gaza, according to Quakers in Britain. A Quaker is a member of the Religious

Society of Friends, a Christian movement that started in the mid-17th century. The term Quaker

was originally a nickname, reflecting their beliefs in simple living and humility. According

to the organization, 20 uniformed police officers equipped with tasers broke down the front door of

Westminster meeting house, forced their way inside and arrested six young women who were

meeting in a room with the group Youth Demand. The organization is a political activist group

demanding the government stop all trade with Israel and make the quote, super rich, pay damages

to communities harmed by fossil fuels, according to its website. Youth Demand and the Quakers are

not associated. However, Quakers allow groups to rent out rooms in their meeting houses

In a press release, Quakers of Britain stated they strongly condemned the violation of their

place of worship No one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory Paul Parker recording clerk for Quakers in Britain said in a statement adding 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 criminalizes protest

The Metropolitan Police told The Guardian officers arrested those six people because, quote

Youth Demand have stated an intention to shut down London over the month of April using tactics including swarming and roadblocks

While we absolutely recognize the importance of the right to protest, we have a responsibility to intervene to prevent activity that crosses the line from protest into serious disruption and other criminality

British media reports the activists were arrested for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance

To the best of my knowledge, stepping out into the road for 10 minutes is not something you could be preemptively arrested for

Yet here we are. Eddie Whittingham, one of the youth demand activists, told The Guardian

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Taylor. For more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com