‘Quakers respect the laws of the state but our first loyalty is to God’s purposes.' Photo: The arrest of Rajan Naidu, by Vladimir Morozov
BYM stands by peaceful climate protestors
‘We acknowledge our Friends’ action as rooted in their faith, and their willingness to face its consequences and uphold Rajan Naidu as he serves his prison sentence.' Paul Parker, recording clerk for BYM
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has said it is standing by peaceful protestors who were found guilty of breaking an injunction when they took nonviolent action to demand an end to new oil and gas projects in the UK.
Four Friends were among fifty-one Just Stop Oil (JSO) protestors who sat outside Kingsbury Oil Terminal holding banners and were remanded to prison by high court judges for refusing to comply with court proceedings.
As reported last week in the Friend, Rajan Naidu of Birmingham, was sentenced to thirty-four days in prison, after being found guilty of his third breach of the injunction on 14 September.
Sue Hampton of Berkhamsted, Arne Springorum of Wandsworth, and Phil Laurie of Westminster, received suspended sentences and costs of over £400.
Paul Parker, recording clerk for BYM, said: ‘Quakers respect the laws of the state but our first loyalty is to God’s purposes. Sometimes things which are legally wrong can be morally right.
‘We acknowledge our Friends’ action as rooted in their faith, and their willingness to face its consequences and uphold Rajan Naidu as he serves his prison sentence.
‘As a faith community we will continue to challenge the government on its environmental policies, and to support those already being affected by climate breakdown globally.’
Sue Hampton, who has been arrested fourteen times, said: ‘I am a grandmother. I used to be a primary school teacher. I have always loved and felt the need to protect children.
‘When I see pictures like those of children in the floods in Pakistan, I feel absolutely compelled to do whatever I can to protect them. Justice is love in action. Love requires us to serve.’
As usual, Meeting for Sufferings recorded the arrests in the Court and Prison Register, a historic list of Friends who have been arrested because of their faith commitments.
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