On 5 March, last night, the London Metropolitan Police last night aided a Quaker meeting house, during a non-violence training session.

Violent raid on Quaker meeting

Fifteen people were arrested, one so traumatised that police had to call an ambulance.

BREAKING: 15 TAKE BACK POWER SUPPORTERS ARRESTED AT WESTMINSTER QUAKER MEETING HOUSE

They were arrested during a nonviolence training this evening for “conspiracy to commit theft”.

One of those arrested had a panic attack, and an ambulance had to be called. Two others were… pic.twitter.com/BRa2A7tBzK

— Take back POWER (@takeback_power) March 5, 2026

Targeting sites of worship

It’s not the first time that the state’s enforcers have violently raided a house of worship. In March 2025, Met police officers armed with tasers smashed down the door of another Quaker meeting room. In that incident, their aim was to arrest six women planning a peaceful protest. The Met had made no attempt to enter peacefully by, say, ringing the bell before battering down the door.

Quakers are committed to justice and to non-violence. Their meeting houses are frequently booked by groups engaged in non-violent activism and protests, and regularly host discussions about state oppression and exploitation.

At that point, it was the first time in living memory that police had raided a Quaker house.

Now it seems like it’s become a habit.

Oliver Robertson, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain, said:

For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable. Peaceful protest, prayer and nonviolent action are integral parts of many Quakers’ religious life.

Whilst we take the planning of criminal acts very seriously, we believe that this incident is a deliberate targeting of committed young people who want to make our country a more equitable place. This raid is part of a systematic stifling of dissent.

That this is the second time in a year that the police have raided our meeting house dramatically illuminates the broader trend in the UK of cracking down on those who disagree with the government.

The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. It’s a key part of how people make their voices heard between elections.

Featured image via the Canary

By Skwawkbox

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