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The police interrupted a @BritishQuakers Meeting for Worship yesterday then made 50+ arrests.
I want to tell you the story.
First off, it was big. Very big. Outside of a Yearly Meeting, I have never in 33 years of being a Quaker seen a Meeting this big.
I want to tell you the story.
First off, it was big. Very big. Outside of a Yearly Meeting, I have never in 33 years of being a Quaker seen a Meeting this big.
@BritishQuakers It was in the road outside of the world's largest arms fair.
@Quakers_RoR organised it to disrupt the setup of the arms fair. Together we had blocked the East Gate since 7.15am.
It was publically advertised as from 2-2.45pm. Here is where I was sitting.
@Quakers_RoR organised it to disrupt the setup of the arms fair. Together we had blocked the East Gate since 7.15am.
It was publically advertised as from 2-2.45pm. Here is where I was sitting.
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR At about 2.30ish the police "interrupted our quiet time" to tell us if we did not leave the road by 3pm we would be arrested.
Here is my view of an officer doing so.
Here is my view of an officer doing so.
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR The Meeting for Worship continued. The threats of arrest continued with warnings being made to those that remained in the road.
Learning points for the @metpoliceuk:
1. #Quakers will Worship if threatened.
2. This will at a minimum triple the arrests you need to make.
Learning points for the @metpoliceuk:
1. #Quakers will Worship if threatened.
2. This will at a minimum triple the arrests you need to make.
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk It is problematic that the police interrupted an act of worship.
In the 17th Centuary Quaker Meetings were broken up quite a lot.
Though perhaps the police can be forgiven for not knowing this, as they had not been invented yet.
westernfriend.org/article/childr…
In the 17th Centuary Quaker Meetings were broken up quite a lot.
Though perhaps the police can be forgiven for not knowing this, as they had not been invented yet.
westernfriend.org/article/childr…
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk It is also illegal to interrupt an act of worship, as the superb @SymonHill of the @PPUtoday pointed out:
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday Police monitoring group @netpol were also concerned about our Article 9 Rights (right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion).
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday @netpol Oliver Robertson, the Head of Worship & Witness for @BritishQuakers staff went and complained to the senior police officer whilst this was going on.
Absolute kudos to him for leadership and quick thinking.
Double kudos for doing it with a baby strapped to him.
Absolute kudos to him for leadership and quick thinking.
Double kudos for doing it with a baby strapped to him.
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday @netpol I hope that the Recording Cleark @peparker will consider writing to the Commissioner of @metpoliceuk Cressida Dick to further this complaint.
I do not want to pressure him, I know the excellent staff at @BritishQuakers will work out what is appropriate. Just seeding an idea.
I do not want to pressure him, I know the excellent staff at @BritishQuakers will work out what is appropriate. Just seeding an idea.
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday @netpol @peparker All this time the police continued warning people as the 3pm deadline approached.
Of course the Meeting for Worship didn't stop at 2.45 when threatened with arrest!
Of course the Meeting for Worship didn't stop at 2.45 when threatened with arrest!
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday @netpol @peparker Then arrests.
Some walking, some carried.
The worship continued...
Some walking, some carried.
The worship continued...
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday @netpol @peparker My Friend Susan was arrested.
She loves #HarryPotter and...
... breaking into military bases and other peace nonviolent direct action.
And if you share here interests search for "Harry Potter, resister! Susan Clarkson" for her piece in @peace_news.
She loves #HarryPotter and...
... breaking into military bases and other peace nonviolent direct action.
And if you share here interests search for "Harry Potter, resister! Susan Clarkson" for her piece in @peace_news.
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday @netpol @peparker @peace_news Hank was also arrested. With his partner.
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday @netpol @peparker @peace_news The arrests continued until about 9pm.
Again well done to @Quakers_RoR and everyone who participated.
We shut down the East gate from 7.15am to 4.40pm. This is a new record shut down! PB! Gold medal! World record!
Again well done to @Quakers_RoR and everyone who participated.
We shut down the East gate from 7.15am to 4.40pm. This is a new record shut down! PB! Gold medal! World record!
@BritishQuakers @Quakers_RoR @metpoliceuk @SymonHill @PPUtoday @netpol @peparker @peace_news TAKE HOME MESSAGE:
This is an unprecedendented success. Go back to your communities and say:
"IF the arms fair comes to London again, I will go again. And if I can be there, so can you. We can and we will stop this arms fair!"
#StopDSEI
This is an unprecedendented success. Go back to your communities and say:
"IF the arms fair comes to London again, I will go again. And if I can be there, so can you. We can and we will stop this arms fair!"
#StopDSEI
Oops Paul Parker is @RCquaker
