The Quakers in Britain have condemned the recent arrests of six supporters of Youth Demand at Westminster Meeting House, an unprecedented event in living memory. More than 30 police officers intervened during a welcome talk for Youth Demand, which aimed to discuss upcoming non-violent civil resistance actions. Paul Parker from Quakers in Britain labeled the police actions as aggressive and harmful to the principles of democracy. The arrests raised concerns over the criminalization of peaceful protest, which is regarded as essential for free public discourse.
The forceful removal of young people holding a protest group meeting clearly shows what happens when a society criminalises protest. Freedom of speech, assembly, and fair trials are an essential part of free public debate which underpins democracy.
I have made clear to the police this government's priorities for policing are reducing serious violence... and bringing back neighbourhood policing, those crimes in town centres like shoplifting.
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