QUAKERS held a silent protest outside New Scotland Yard yesterday (Thursday), in support of “all who speak up for truth and integrity in the face of increasing state oppression”.

Dozens of people came to demonstrate against a police raid on the Quaker Friends Meeting House in St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, on Thursday March 27.

The Youth Demand campaign group had met to consider a series of non-violent protests about climate change and the war in Gaza.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of “conspiracy to cause a public nuisance” but later the Metropolitan Police Service said five had been released on bail and one would face no further action.

It’s understood five further arrests were made on Friday for the same offence.

Oliver Robertson, head of witness and worship for Quakers in Britain, said: “This raid is not an isolated incident. It reflects a growing trend of excessive policing under new laws brought in by the previous government, which are now being enforced by the current administration.”

He added: “This is about the kind of country, the kind of world, we want to live in. Quakers believe that all people are equal, and for that to be a reality, we need laws that enable participation rather than suppress it.”

Quakers in Britain say the right to protest in this country has been “severely restricted” since the introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023.

The legislation led to “sweeping definitions” that had “criminalised” debate about peaceful protest.

Legal aid cuts and changes to the judicial process have also limited protesters’ ability to “speak truth to power” in court, the group said.

Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “No one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory. Freedom of speech, assembly, and fair trials are an essential part of free public debate which underpins democracy.”

Members of the Green Party attended the protest and their former leader Siân Berry said: “The silence of a peaceful gathering made a powerful point.”

Following the raid the MPS said Youth Demand had stated intentions to “shut down” London during April using tactics such as “swarming” and road blocks.

Their statement added: “While we absolutely recognise the importance of the right to protest, we have a responsibility to intervene to prevent activity that crosses the line from protest into serious disruption and other criminality. On Thursday, officers raided a Youth Demand planning meeting where those in attendance were plotting their April action.”