‘No flags, no placards’ anti-hate vigil

14 Dec 2023 | by Rebecca Hardy

‘The instruction “no flags, no placards” spoke to me because I had joined the Big March on Armistice Day, which was full of flags, placards, shouting and horrible chants.'

'The speakers, who included bereaved parents, both Jewish and Palestinian, were eloquent for reconciliation and an end to the killing.'

Quakers were part of a large Together for Humanity vigil this month, to speak out against antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. Together for Humanity was co-founded by Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox.

On a ‘damp and chilly day’, said Fred Ashmore, from Kingston Meeting, faith leaders, bereaved families, and politicians of all parties, came together to witness for peace and to protect community relations in the UK. ‘I was there as one of the faith group representatives, lighting lanterns together with another faith group person as a symbol of togetherness and hope… “No flags, no placards” was respected’, he said.

Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, spoke outside Downing Street, saying ‘there is no good ever in the death of an innocent Israeli, there is no good ever in the death of an innocent Palestinian’.

He was ‘awed and humbled’, he said, after hearing ‘extraordinary and remarkable’ testimony from relatives of those who were killed on 7 October, who said they wanted peace and not hatred. Fighting brings ‘agony to the families, fear for the future and it drives peace far away’, he added.

Fred Ashmore said that he attended the event after being dismayed by a previous march. This one ‘offered an action filled with quiet peaceful feeling as well as passion,’ he said. ‘The instruction “no flags, no placards” spoke to me because I had joined the Big March on Armistice Day, which was full of flags, placards, shouting and horrible chants. I left that action because I found it insupportable. In huge contrast, the vigil on Sunday was quiet and calm, and the speakers, who included bereaved parents, both Jewish and Palestinian, were eloquent for reconciliation and an end to the killing…I found it very moving and felt it a privilege to be asked to light a lantern for peace on behalf of the Quakers of London.’

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