Police arrested six activists during a raid, intensifying tensions around Gaza protests in the UK.
**London Police Crackdown on Gaza Protest Activists in Quaker Meeting House**
**London Police Crackdown on Gaza Protest Activists in Quaker Meeting House**
British Quakers condemn police actions, raising concerns over protest freedoms.
In a surprising move that has sparked an outcry, London police arrested six youth activists from the group Youth Demand during a raid on a Quaker meeting house. The incident occurred on Thursday as activists gathered to plan protests against the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The Quakers, known for their commitment to non-violence and social justice, expressed deep concern over what they call a historic violation of their spiritual space. Paul Parker, the recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, highlighted the unprecedented nature of police interference in a Quaker setting, stating, “No one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory.”
According to reports, over 20 police officers, some armed with tasers, forcibly entered the meeting house in Westminster, violating normal practice by not ringing the bell or providing prior notice. The Metropolitan Police justified their actions by claiming the arrests were necessary to prevent serious disruptions associated with the activists’ plans to organize major protests in London next month.
Despite acknowledging the public’s right to protest, the police emphasized their responsibility to intervene when such protests threaten to escalate into criminal activities. This incident, along with a broader crackdown on Gaza War demonstrations, has raised alarm across England and echoes similar tensions in the United States, particularly on college campuses where student-led protests have emerged against Israel's actions in the conflict.
The Quakers, known for their commitment to non-violence and social justice, expressed deep concern over what they call a historic violation of their spiritual space. Paul Parker, the recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, highlighted the unprecedented nature of police interference in a Quaker setting, stating, “No one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory.”
According to reports, over 20 police officers, some armed with tasers, forcibly entered the meeting house in Westminster, violating normal practice by not ringing the bell or providing prior notice. The Metropolitan Police justified their actions by claiming the arrests were necessary to prevent serious disruptions associated with the activists’ plans to organize major protests in London next month.
Despite acknowledging the public’s right to protest, the police emphasized their responsibility to intervene when such protests threaten to escalate into criminal activities. This incident, along with a broader crackdown on Gaza War demonstrations, has raised alarm across England and echoes similar tensions in the United States, particularly on college campuses where student-led protests have emerged against Israel's actions in the conflict.
