Latest News
Arresting times
Quakers are among those voicing concern over the widespread arrest of activists in the run-up to last week’s royal wedding. A number of Friends were affected by police action that saw dozens of people taken into custody before and during the event.
Egyptian pacifist jailed
Peace and human rights campaigners have expressed dismay at the news that an Egyptian pacifist has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for ‘insulting the military’. Maikel Nabil Sanad was active in the recent Egyptian revolution and published an article criticising the armed forces’ role in the event (see ‘Conscientious...
Friends lay down peace vigil
A monthly Quaker peace vigil in London’s Trafalgar Square will take place for the last time at noon on Saturday. The vigil has been held in the Square every month since 1 May 2004, when Friends in Forest Hill Meeting were moved to testify against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
United Nations Commission considers criminal justice reform
Friends have addressed the United Nations on issues of criminal justice reform. At the twentieth UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Vienna earlier this month, Quaker representatives spoke to the assembled governments and professionals about the principles that should underlie the treatment of prisoners. Friends...
Poverty Truth Commission
Poverty will be overcome only if people at the ‘sharp end’ are at the centre of policy-making. That’s the view of the Poverty Truth Commission, who insist that ‘charity reports and government strategies’ will not work unless people who experience poverty first hand are at the heart of the...
Salisbury Quakers celebrate
Salisbury Quakers are celebrating the first anniversary of their new Meeting house in style. The building has just received a Salisbury Civic Society Conservation award in recognition of the excellence of the conversion and of the contribution the Meeting House is making to community life in the town.
Will and Kate invited to support Equal Love Campaign
The world’s most famous nearly-married couple received a thought-provoking and unusual gift on Monday, when supporters of same-sex marriage attempted to recruit them to their campaign.
Scottish and Welsh elections
Quakers in Scotland are calling on candidates in the upcoming Holyrood elections to put economic justice at the heart of their policies. South-East Scotland Area Meeting have produced a model letter for Friends to send to candidates about the impact of cuts and the gap between rich and poor.
Israeli peace activist murdered
A leading Israeli peace activist has been murdered in Jenin. Born to a Jewish mother and Palestinian father, Juliano Mer-Khamis often referred to himself as 100 per cent Jewish and 100 percent Palestinian. The actor, director and political activist was shot dead outside the Freedom Theatre, which he helped run in a...
Soup run reprieved?
Quakers in London remain concerned about the plight of homeless people in the city following confusion over a potential council decision. A housing charity has predicted that people will be ‘queuing up to commit acts of civil disobedience’ if Westminster Council pushes ahead with a by-law that would ban soup...