Manchester equality vigil
Manchester and Warrington Area Meeting Social Justice Group held an equality vigil in December
Manchester and Warrington Area Meeting Social Justice Group held an equality vigil on 17 December. Up to thirty Friends took part on the steps of the Mount Street Meeting House in Manchester.
The aim of the vigil was to raise awareness of economic inequality in Britain. The group also hoped to highlight the Quaker testimony to equality, as part of a campaign for greater equality. Participants came from Central Manchester, South Manchester, Sale and Eccles Meetings, along with several representatives of East Cheshire Area Meeting, and at least one from Bolton.
Members of the group also handed out leaflets. One, Enid Pinch, told the Friend: ‘Despite the rain those giving out the leaflet had a good response from passers by – about 400 leaflets were accepted.’ The leaflet explained the reasons for the vigil. It also underlined the Quaker involvement, explaining: ‘We are Quakers and we practice equality in all that we do. All jobs are shared; all are respected. It’s deeply satisfying. Our country could be like that too.’
The Social Justice Group holds vigils on the steps of the Mount Street Meeting House at least twice a year, member Elizabeth Coleman told the Friend. This is the second dealing with equality and is the prelude to Quaker Equality Week, which will take place in March. The group is coordinating this and hopes to see Friends hold vigils for equality across the country.
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