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Quakers continue at St Pauls
Quakers will continue a weekly Meeting for Worship on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral despite the eviction of the ‘Occupy’ camp. In an epistle produced on Sunday, they pledged to seek ‘new ways to speak truth to power’.
Pacifism in deed
Pacifist campaigners have criticised parts of the media for repeatedly misusing the word ‘pacifism’. Members of the Peace Pledge Union (PPU) say that commentators frequently equate pacifism with passivity, giving up or ‘doing nothing’.
International Women’s Day builds bridges of peace
As the world marked International Women’s Day this week, a charity called for a renewed focus on the experience of women in war.
Report challenges Trident renewal
The plan to spend more than £25m on a nuclear deterrent has been described as ‘nonsensical’ by an independent report. The paper, from the independent liberal think tank CentreForum, argues that the proposal to renew Trident should be scrapped because there is no foreseeable threat to Britain.
Concerns over legal aid reform
Quaker concerns over the impact that changes to legal aid will have on the poorest and most vulnerable in society have been echoed in the House of Lords.
A ‘Citizen Income’
Quakers from across Britain will soon be asked to consider supporting a ‘Citizen’s Income’. Friends in South East Scotland have resolved to raise the issue with Meeting for Sufferings, the national committee of British Quakers.
Rough sleepers on the increase
Rough sleeping in England has risen by almost a quarter in the last year, according to official government statistics. Quaker Homeless Action (QHA) has, for some time, predicted an increase in homelessness due to government cuts (see ‘Rise in homelessness expected’, 16 December 2011).
Human rights concerns raised
A Quaker-Managed project has given evidence to the European Council about the abuse of human rights in Palestine.
Shadow children
Thousands of migrant children are living ‘in the shadows of our communities’ as they suffer hunger, homelessness and sexual abuse. That’s the conclusion of a new report by the Children’s Society, which focuses on those whose immigration status leaves them without financial support.
Mennonites move to Selly Oak
The Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham is to have a new neighbour – housing another group rooted in radical Christianity and pacifism. British Mennonites will transfer their main base from London to Birmingham this summer.