7 actions to take now to defend our right to protest
After the meeting for worship outside New Scotland Yard, Joe Cox suggests 7 things people can do next.
We have been truly uplifted by the incredible turnout at the meeting for worship at Scotland Yard, the scores of emails to MPs and the messages that have flooded in from across the world since the heavy-handed police raid on Westminster Meeting House.
Afterall, the raid matters not just because it was a violation of a Quaker meeting house, it was also another example of how recent anti-protest laws have curtailed our rights as citizens to come together and make our voices heard.
With that in mind here are some suggested actions you can take right now:
1. Write to your MP
We have produced a specific guide to writing to your MP about the Westminster Meeting House raid here (PDF). It contains information on how you can find out the contact details of your MP and some draft text for the email/letter. You could also copy in your local Police and Crime Commissioner.
By engaging with MPs you can help bring Quaker testimony into the public sphere and we encourage every meeting to build these relationships. Inviting an MP to visit a meeting house and chatting over tea is a great way to make a connection and show MPs that our meeting houses are peaceful community spaces.
The police raid took place in a worrying context of laws passed under the previous government granting police greater powers to clamp down on protest. It is important that we make the argument that this isn't just an 'operational policing matter' but a political matter. We are calling on the current government to repeal of the Public Order Act 2023 and parts of the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act 2022 that restrict the rights to non-violent protest.
Email politics@quaker.org.uk for any support and please do let us know if you get a response from your MP.
2. Write to your local newspaper
Most local newspapers are pleased to publish letters from readers on current events. This is a great action to take after you have written to your MP as you can base the content of the newspaper letter on your MP letter. Who knows, your MP may respond through the newspaper letters pages!
Your letter should have as much personal and local flavour as possible. Why does this matter to you? Why is it so important that your meeting house remains a place of sanctuary for your community? What are you calling on your local MP to do or say?
Short and snappy letters work best – I would suggest no more than 250 words.
Email media@quaker.org.uk if you need support and do let us know if you get published.
3. Get/stay active
We have a long and celebrated history of undertaking nonviolent action against injustice and we know from experience that this be an effective way to bring about lasting positive change. It is important that those who are called to action do not become unnecessarily put off from campaigning because of heavy-handed police tactics.
Our Faith in Action Coordinators can be alongside you or your group as you plan, undertake and sustain actions you are called to take. We can hold space for reflection, help you build effective strategies, help groups to find common ground and set goals, and support with the spiritual grounding for Quaker witness.
We provide regular support by phone, online or in-person. We can deliver workshops, such as:
- understanding a diversity of tactics and devising a campaign strategy
- using social media to improve engagement and impact
- making sure your campaign/action/event is inclusive and spirit-led
Sign up to our faith in action newsletter
4. Attend a meeting for worship and welcome newcomers
Remaining grounded during these challenging times is important and building relationships with Quakers at local, regional and national levels sustains us.
We know that not everyone is called to action, but we can all play a role in praying and discerning together as well as helping each other to remain hopeful.
Many meetings have organised meetings for worship or vigils around the country. Those wishing to organise their own vigil can find guidance on the Quakers in Britain website (PDF) on how to do so.
It's likely that more people than usual will show an interest in your Quaker meeting in the coming weeks. To encourage new people to attend, you could take a photo of your meeting house and post it online with a statement of welcome, or even a message such as 'you don't have to smash down the doors to come to a Quaker meeting...'!
You can also help by making sure you have someone available to welcome them and to explain who Quakers are.
5. Support arrestees
Quakers have been involved in social justice movements for centuries, campaigning for the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, and prison reform. At the time, many of their actions were deemed illegal.
Quakers in Britain and Quaker meetings have often found ways to support these Quakers, and others who have been arrested, including prison and court support, by writing letters, by making statements and by helping to amplify the issues that they were protesting about.
Whilst the people arrested this time have now been released on bail, this is something that meetings can continue to do and there is a lot of collective experience about how to support people who have been arrested.
To find out more and get involved email the Faith in Action team on faithinaction@quaker.org.uk
6. Reach out to other faith groups and affected communities
We are keenly aware that marginalised and minoritised communities have long suffered, and continue to suffer, state repression.
For people of faith, it was especially upsetting to see a place of worship violated by heavy-handed and disproportionate policing.
Many share with Quakers a commitment to treating all people with kindness and holding human life as sacred. This has led to a rich history of nonviolent interfaith action for peace and to many connections between our faith communities. Many people from other churches and faiths joined the Quaker meeting for worship at New Scotland Yard.
This is a good time to make or develop connections with other faith, belief and civil society groups where you are.
Find out more about building interfaith relations
Find out more about peacebuilding in Britain
7. Support our work
We have been so proud of how Quakers have come together to support and uphold each other. Part of the reason we were able to respond so rapidly and effectively is because we have resources, infrastructure and dedicated staff.
Supporting our work helps us to be patterns and examples in all countries.
