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Reposted by Paul Parker

Jill Segger @quakerpen.bsky.social · 3d

Thank you to everyone who stopped to engage with Bury St Edmunds Quakers (despite Storm Amy) at the information table outside the Meeting House on Saturday. #QuakerWeek #LoveYourNeighbour
Find us @bsequakers.bsky.social

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 3d

New powers to further restrict protest are unnecessary, undermine our rights to freedom of expression and ability to practice our religion freely.

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 3d

We do not see the rights of worshippers and the rights of protestors as inherently in contradiction. As Quakers we are often worshippers, protestors and community members simultaneously.

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 3d

For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable. Peaceful protest, prayer, and non-violent action are expressions of our worship. When this is criminalised, our religious freedom is under attack.

@quaker.org.uk

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · 3d

There is no need for further restrictions to protest based on the concept of cumulative disruption. Repeated protests can be evidence of strength of feeling towards an ongoing injustice and are an important democratic mechanism for citizens to have their voices heard.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Police to get broader powers to crack down on repeated protests

The move is not a ban on protests but

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 6d

Violence is never right. Killing is never right. Targeting people because of who they are is never right.

We give thanks for all those, from all backgrounds, who have come together to oppose hatred and promote living together peacefully. It is vital that we all continue to do so.

Quaker statement in response to Manchester synagogue attacks on Yom Kippur

We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in t...

www.quaker.org.uk

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 6d

Quaker statement in response to Manchester synagogue attacks on Yom Kippur.

We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Simple. Radical. Spiritual. @quakers.bsky.social · 27d

“For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable," said Paul Parker, @rcquaker.bsky.social for Quakers in Britain.

“Peaceful protest, prayer, and non-violent action are expressions of our worship. When this is criminalised, our religious freedom is under attack."
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Quakers denied intervention in court challenge over faith rights in terror law case

Quakers in Britain has been refused permission to give evidence in a landmark legal challenge to the UK government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group.

www.quaker.org.uk

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · Sep 8

We have applied to intervene in the judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, saying the ban has undermined our freedom of religion.

Quakers have a long history of non-violent action against injustice and oppose war and violence of any kind.

Quakers apply to intervene in Judicial Review of the proscription of Palestine Action

Quakers in Britain has applied to intervene in the judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, saying the ban has undermined their freedom of religion.

www.quaker.org.uk

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · Aug 28

On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates.

Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.

www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Quakers condemn dangerous Ramallah Friends School incursion

On Tuesday, 26 August, the Israeli army carried out a dangerous incursion outside the gates of the Quaker Ramallah Friends School in the occupied West Bank.

www.quaker.org.uk

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · Aug 27

We are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge facing the threat of further violence and intimidation.

Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.

www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Quaker statement on asylum seeker harassment

One year on from the riots in the summer of 2024, we are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge in our nation facing the threat of further violence and intimidation. As our book of tea...

www.quaker.org.uk

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) @quakerunoffice.bsky.social · Aug 15

#INC5 in Geneva has concluded without an agreement on a #plastics treaty, despite an intensive 2 weeks of dialogue. QUNO's Sustainable & Just Economic Systems (SJES) Programme provides an overview, and thoughts on a way forward, here: quno.org/timeline/202...

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Aug 10

The facts speak for themselves. Police arrest 474 at Palestine Action ban protest, including a 89 year old woman. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Palestine Action protesters arrested by police at London demo

The Metropolitan Police said the number of arrests was the largest made by the force on a single day in the last decade.

www.bbc.com

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Friends of Friendless Churches @friendlesschurches.bsky.social · Aug 4

An experience of temporary blindness and the shame of his own profane language are said to have prompted Cuthbert Wigham, the founder of Coanwood Meeting House, to convert to Quakerism.

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · Aug 2

Plenty of Quakers in the ecumenical crowd outside the gates of Faslane naval base to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. @quaker.org.uk

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · Aug 2

With nukes in the news it's grimly fitting to be at Faslane to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and say 'never again'. @quaker.org.uk

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · Jul 25

Quakers discern that genocide is occurring in Gaza. Urgent global statement from the Quaker service agencies:

Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · Jul 25

Urgent Statement from 8 Quaker Orgs: Genocide is happening in Gaza. We urge courageous action.

➡️ Immediate, permanent ceasefire
➡️ Full humanitarian access
➡️ Sanctions + arms embargo
➡️ Accountability under intl. law
➡️ Protection of protest & free speech
➡️ Just peace rooted in dignity + equality

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Reposted by Paul Parker

katieghose.bsky.social @katieghose.bsky.social · Jul 18

‘Agents of change’, equal partners’ and call for transformational ideas from every corner of civil society, What a stimulating day at yesterday’s civil society covenant launch thanks @pbe.co.uk @lbfew.bsky.social @ncvoyr.bsky.social @acevo.bsky.social and all involved @kidscharity.bsky.social

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Ben Wood /|\🔶️🌿✝️ @cosmichope.bsky.social · Jul 17

And yet where is the government's repeal of the recent anti-protest laws? Where is the review of Blair era anti-terror laws? Where's the commitment to roll-back the plethora of public order acts? Whoever is in government, the Home Office is always in power.
share.google/ibxdLAMhTjHJ...

Government vows to respect charities’ right to protest peacefully in covenant agreement

share.google

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Unlock Democracy @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social · Jul 17

A welcome step in the right direction: civil society must be able to challenge government safely.

But scepticism remains about the government's commitment to peaceful protest.

Their actions to date indicate peaceful protest is not exactly safe in their hands.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Ministers to enshrine UK charities’ right to peaceful protest in new ‘covenant’

Agreement between government and voluntary sector aims to reset relations after erosion of trust under Tories

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) @quakerunoffice.bsky.social · Jul 17

In advance of #COP30 later this year, QUNO took part in the UN #ClimateChange Forum in Bonn, which included a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the #ParisAgreement. Read more to see what QUNO shared, and what we heard from others: quno.org/timeline/202...

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · Jul 17

Nice coverage of the #CivilSocietyCovenant from @civilsociety.bsky.social - thanks for highlighting the right to peaceful protest. Lots to do to make this commitment real! www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/governm...

Government vows to respect charities’ right to protest peacefully in covenant agreement

www.civilsociety.co.uk

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Paul Parker @rcquaker.bsky.social · Jul 17

Yes - today there has been lots about partnership working, and to be fair quite a lot of support for charity sector campaigning & advocacy for marginalised beneficiaries. But protest clearly still beyond the pale, despite the many positive social changes which have only happened as a result of it.

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Reposted by Paul Parker

Civil Society @civilsociety.bsky.social · Jul 17

Charity sector leaders including the CEOs of @acevo.bsky.social, @pbe.co.uk and @cfgsocial.bsky.social have welcomed the launch of the Civil Society Covenant as a positive step forward, but warned that its commitments “mustn’t stall at warm words” and must be matched by action

Covenant welcomed by charity leaders who warn it ‘mustn’t stall at warm words’

www.civilsociety.co.uk

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Reposted by Paul Parker

The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · Jul 17

The Social Insights Panel led by FGF Policy Associate @pollyneate.bsky.social (backed by the Henry Smith Foundation) will influence & support the government’s work to address “wicked” challenges starting with a focus on the Test, Learn & Grow programme ⬇️

futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...

Announcing the Social Insights Panel: a new FGF project led by Polly Neate

(Picture credit: Honor Elliot)

futuregovforum.substack.com

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