Six women were arrested after British police raided a Quaker meeting house in London during a peaceful gathering focused on climate change and the war in Gaza, according to a statement issued by Quakers UK. The Quaker meeting house raid has sparked condemnation from the religious group, which described the police action as an unprecedented intrusion on a place of worship.
Quakers UK Condemn Police Action
“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,” said Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain. “No-one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory.”
CNN reported that it had contacted London’s Metropolitan Police for comment but received no immediate response.
The incident has raised serious questions about police conduct and the right to peaceful assembly in places of worship. The arrests occurred while attendees gathered to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and environmental justice—two issues that have drawn significant public protest in the UK and beyond.
Quaker Tradition and Peaceful Advocacy
The Quakers, officially known as the Religious Society of Friends, are a Christian-rooted religious community with a centuries-long history of pacifism, social justice advocacy, and nonviolent protest. Founded in the 17th century, Quakers have traditionally provided safe spaces for discussion, reflection, and civil activism.
The forceful nature of Thursday’s raid shocked many within the community, who view the meeting house as a sanctuary for peaceful dialogue. Human rights groups and religious freedom advocates have also expressed concern about the implications of the arrests.
Growing Tensions Around Protest Rights
The raid comes amid growing scrutiny over UK protest laws and increased tensions related to the war in Gaza. Mass protests across London in recent months have drawn thousands, demanding ceasefires and climate action.
Legal experts and civil society organizations are now calling for an investigation into the use of police powers in religious spaces and the broader crackdown on protest rights in Britain.
