Paul Parker
@rcquaker.bsky.social
Recording Clerk of Quakers in Britain
Reposted by Paul Parker
Thank you to everyone who stopped to engage with Bury St Edmunds Quakers (despite Storm Amy) at the information table outside the Meeting House on Saturday. #QuakerWeek #LoveYourNeighbour
Find us @bsequakers.bsky.social
Find us @bsequakers.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Thank you to everyone who stopped to engage with Bury St Edmunds Quakers (despite Storm Amy) at the information table outside the Meeting House on Saturday. #QuakerWeek #LoveYourNeighbour
Find us @bsequakers.bsky.social
Find us @bsequakers.bsky.social
There is no need for further restrictions to protest based on the concept of cumulative disruption. Repeated protests can be evidence of strength of feeling towards an ongoing injustice and are an important democratic mechanism for citizens to have their voices heard.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Police to get broader powers to crack down on repeated protests
The move is not a ban on protests but
www.bbc.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
There is no need for further restrictions to protest based on the concept of cumulative disruption. Repeated protests can be evidence of strength of feeling towards an ongoing injustice and are an important democratic mechanism for citizens to have their voices heard.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Paul Parker
Violence is never right. Killing is never right. Targeting people because of who they are is never right.
We give thanks for all those, from all backgrounds, who have come together to oppose hatred and promote living together peacefully. It is vital that we all continue to do so.
We give thanks for all those, from all backgrounds, who have come together to oppose hatred and promote living together peacefully. It is vital that we all continue to do so.
Quaker statement in response to Manchester synagogue attacks on Yom Kippur
We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in t...
www.quaker.org.uk
October 2, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Violence is never right. Killing is never right. Targeting people because of who they are is never right.
We give thanks for all those, from all backgrounds, who have come together to oppose hatred and promote living together peacefully. It is vital that we all continue to do so.
We give thanks for all those, from all backgrounds, who have come together to oppose hatred and promote living together peacefully. It is vital that we all continue to do so.
Reposted by Paul Parker
Quaker statement in response to Manchester synagogue attacks on Yom Kippur.
We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
October 2, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Quaker statement in response to Manchester synagogue attacks on Yom Kippur.
We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
We offer our love, support and solidarity with the Jewish community, in Manchester and beyond, following the horrifying antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Reposted by Paul Parker
“For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable," said Paul Parker, @rcquaker.bsky.social for Quakers in Britain.
“Peaceful protest, prayer, and non-violent action are expressions of our worship. When this is criminalised, our religious freedom is under attack."
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
“Peaceful protest, prayer, and non-violent action are expressions of our worship. When this is criminalised, our religious freedom is under attack."
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers denied intervention in court challenge over faith rights in terror law case
Quakers in Britain has been refused permission to give evidence in a landmark legal challenge to the UK government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
www.quaker.org.uk
September 11, 2025 at 9:08 PM
“For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable," said Paul Parker, @rcquaker.bsky.social for Quakers in Britain.
“Peaceful protest, prayer, and non-violent action are expressions of our worship. When this is criminalised, our religious freedom is under attack."
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
“Peaceful protest, prayer, and non-violent action are expressions of our worship. When this is criminalised, our religious freedom is under attack."
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Paul Parker
We have applied to intervene in the judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, saying the ban has undermined our freedom of religion.
Quakers have a long history of non-violent action against injustice and oppose war and violence of any kind.
Quakers have a long history of non-violent action against injustice and oppose war and violence of any kind.
Quakers apply to intervene in Judicial Review of the proscription of Palestine Action
Quakers in Britain has applied to intervene in the judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, saying the ban has undermined their freedom of religion.
www.quaker.org.uk
September 8, 2025 at 11:33 AM
We have applied to intervene in the judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, saying the ban has undermined our freedom of religion.
Quakers have a long history of non-violent action against injustice and oppose war and violence of any kind.
Quakers have a long history of non-violent action against injustice and oppose war and violence of any kind.
Reposted by Paul Parker
On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates.
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers condemn dangerous Ramallah Friends School incursion
On Tuesday, 26 August, the Israeli army carried out a dangerous incursion outside the gates of the Quaker Ramallah Friends School in the occupied West Bank.
www.quaker.org.uk
August 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
On Tuesday 26th August tear gas canisters were fired near Ramallah Friends School and a parent was fired on by a sniper while trying to reach the school gates.
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Nobody at the school was injured but the children were left shaken and their families anxious.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Paul Parker
We are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge facing the threat of further violence and intimidation.
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quaker statement on asylum seeker harassment
One year on from the riots in the summer of 2024, we are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge in our nation facing the threat of further violence and intimidation. As our book of tea...
www.quaker.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
We are filled with anguish to see human beings seeking refuge facing the threat of further violence and intimidation.
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Too many politicians are fanning the flames of division when they should be voices for peace.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Paul Parker
#INC5 in Geneva has concluded without an agreement on a #plastics treaty, despite an intensive 2 weeks of dialogue. QUNO's Sustainable & Just Economic Systems (SJES) Programme provides an overview, and thoughts on a way forward, here: quno.org/timeline/202...
August 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
#INC5 in Geneva has concluded without an agreement on a #plastics treaty, despite an intensive 2 weeks of dialogue. QUNO's Sustainable & Just Economic Systems (SJES) Programme provides an overview, and thoughts on a way forward, here: quno.org/timeline/202...
Reposted by Paul Parker
The facts speak for themselves. Police arrest 474 at Palestine Action ban protest, including a 89 year old woman. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Palestine Action protesters arrested by police at London demo
The Metropolitan Police said the number of arrests was the largest made by the force on a single day in the last decade.
www.bbc.com
August 10, 2025 at 6:45 AM
The facts speak for themselves. Police arrest 474 at Palestine Action ban protest, including a 89 year old woman. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Paul Parker
An experience of temporary blindness and the shame of his own profane language are said to have prompted Cuthbert Wigham, the founder of Coanwood Meeting House, to convert to Quakerism.
1/8
1/8
August 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
An experience of temporary blindness and the shame of his own profane language are said to have prompted Cuthbert Wigham, the founder of Coanwood Meeting House, to convert to Quakerism.
1/8
1/8
Plenty of Quakers in the ecumenical crowd outside the gates of Faslane naval base to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. @quaker.org.uk
August 2, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Plenty of Quakers in the ecumenical crowd outside the gates of Faslane naval base to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. @quaker.org.uk
With nukes in the news it's grimly fitting to be at Faslane to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and say 'never again'. @quaker.org.uk
August 2, 2025 at 7:31 AM
With nukes in the news it's grimly fitting to be at Faslane to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and say 'never again'. @quaker.org.uk
Quakers discern that genocide is occurring in Gaza. Urgent global statement from the Quaker service agencies:
Urgent Statement from 8 Quaker Orgs: Genocide is happening in Gaza. We urge courageous action.
➡️ Immediate, permanent ceasefire
➡️ Full humanitarian access
➡️ Sanctions + arms embargo
➡️ Accountability under intl. law
➡️ Protection of protest & free speech
➡️ Just peace rooted in dignity + equality
➡️ Immediate, permanent ceasefire
➡️ Full humanitarian access
➡️ Sanctions + arms embargo
➡️ Accountability under intl. law
➡️ Protection of protest & free speech
➡️ Just peace rooted in dignity + equality
July 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Quakers discern that genocide is occurring in Gaza. Urgent global statement from the Quaker service agencies:
Reposted by Paul Parker
‘Agents of change’, equal partners’ and call for transformational ideas from every corner of civil society, What a stimulating day at yesterday’s civil society covenant launch thanks @pbe.co.uk @lbfew.bsky.social @ncvoyr.bsky.social @acevo.bsky.social and all involved @kidscharity.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 7:31 AM
‘Agents of change’, equal partners’ and call for transformational ideas from every corner of civil society, What a stimulating day at yesterday’s civil society covenant launch thanks @pbe.co.uk @lbfew.bsky.social @ncvoyr.bsky.social @acevo.bsky.social and all involved @kidscharity.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Parker
And yet where is the government's repeal of the recent anti-protest laws? Where is the review of Blair era anti-terror laws? Where's the commitment to roll-back the plethora of public order acts? Whoever is in government, the Home Office is always in power.
share.google/ibxdLAMhTjHJ...
share.google/ibxdLAMhTjHJ...
Government vows to respect charities’ right to protest peacefully in covenant agreement
share.google
July 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
And yet where is the government's repeal of the recent anti-protest laws? Where is the review of Blair era anti-terror laws? Where's the commitment to roll-back the plethora of public order acts? Whoever is in government, the Home Office is always in power.
share.google/ibxdLAMhTjHJ...
share.google/ibxdLAMhTjHJ...
Reposted by Paul Parker
A welcome step in the right direction: civil society must be able to challenge government safely.
But scepticism remains about the government's commitment to peaceful protest.
Their actions to date indicate peaceful protest is not exactly safe in their hands.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
But scepticism remains about the government's commitment to peaceful protest.
Their actions to date indicate peaceful protest is not exactly safe in their hands.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Ministers to enshrine UK charities’ right to peaceful protest in new ‘covenant’
Agreement between government and voluntary sector aims to reset relations after erosion of trust under Tories
www.theguardian.com
July 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A welcome step in the right direction: civil society must be able to challenge government safely.
But scepticism remains about the government's commitment to peaceful protest.
Their actions to date indicate peaceful protest is not exactly safe in their hands.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
But scepticism remains about the government's commitment to peaceful protest.
Their actions to date indicate peaceful protest is not exactly safe in their hands.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Paul Parker
In advance of #COP30 later this year, QUNO took part in the UN #ClimateChange Forum in Bonn, which included a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the #ParisAgreement. Read more to see what QUNO shared, and what we heard from others: quno.org/timeline/202...
July 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In advance of #COP30 later this year, QUNO took part in the UN #ClimateChange Forum in Bonn, which included a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the #ParisAgreement. Read more to see what QUNO shared, and what we heard from others: quno.org/timeline/202...
Nice coverage of the #CivilSocietyCovenant from @civilsociety.bsky.social - thanks for highlighting the right to peaceful protest. Lots to do to make this commitment real! www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/governm...
Government vows to respect charities’ right to protest peacefully in covenant agreement
www.civilsociety.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Nice coverage of the #CivilSocietyCovenant from @civilsociety.bsky.social - thanks for highlighting the right to peaceful protest. Lots to do to make this commitment real! www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/governm...
Reposted by Paul Parker
Charity sector leaders including the CEOs of @acevo.bsky.social, @pbe.co.uk and @cfgsocial.bsky.social have welcomed the launch of the Civil Society Covenant as a positive step forward, but warned that its commitments “mustn’t stall at warm words” and must be matched by action
Covenant welcomed by charity leaders who warn it ‘mustn’t stall at warm words’
www.civilsociety.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Charity sector leaders including the CEOs of @acevo.bsky.social, @pbe.co.uk and @cfgsocial.bsky.social have welcomed the launch of the Civil Society Covenant as a positive step forward, but warned that its commitments “mustn’t stall at warm words” and must be matched by action
Reposted by Paul Parker
The Social Insights Panel led by FGF Policy Associate @pollyneate.bsky.social (backed by the Henry Smith Foundation) will influence & support the government’s work to address “wicked” challenges starting with a focus on the Test, Learn & Grow programme ⬇️
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
Announcing the Social Insights Panel: a new FGF project led by Polly Neate
(Picture credit: Honor Elliot)
futuregovforum.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The Social Insights Panel led by FGF Policy Associate @pollyneate.bsky.social (backed by the Henry Smith Foundation) will influence & support the government’s work to address “wicked” challenges starting with a focus on the Test, Learn & Grow programme ⬇️
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
So, the #CivilSocietyCovenant has been published today, and I've spent the day listening to an array of government ministers talking about how important it is, and how this is a real reset in the relationship between government and civil society organisations.
Here are my thoughts on it so far:
Here are my thoughts on it so far:
July 17, 2025 at 3:08 PM
So, the #CivilSocietyCovenant has been published today, and I've spent the day listening to an array of government ministers talking about how important it is, and how this is a real reset in the relationship between government and civil society organisations.
Here are my thoughts on it so far:
Here are my thoughts on it so far:
At the Science Museum to hear the Prime Minister and Lisa Nandy launch the new #CivilSocietyCovenant. So far they've said all the things they *had* to say, and some things they didn't have to. Positive start.
July 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM
At the Science Museum to hear the Prime Minister and Lisa Nandy launch the new #CivilSocietyCovenant. So far they've said all the things they *had* to say, and some things they didn't have to. Positive start.
Reposted by Paul Parker
We have deep concerns about government plans to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
Nonviolent protest, and even acts of vandalism, should not be labelled as terrorism. Civil disobedience has been a powerful force for positive social change.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Nonviolent protest, and even acts of vandalism, should not be labelled as terrorism. Civil disobedience has been a powerful force for positive social change.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers speak out against proposed terrorist proscription of Palestine Action
Quakers in Britain have voiced deep concerns about the government’s plan to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000.
www.quaker.org.uk
June 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
We have deep concerns about government plans to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
Nonviolent protest, and even acts of vandalism, should not be labelled as terrorism. Civil disobedience has been a powerful force for positive social change.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Nonviolent protest, and even acts of vandalism, should not be labelled as terrorism. Civil disobedience has been a powerful force for positive social change.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Great job with an exceptional organisation. Please help to spread the word about this opportunity. quno.org/timeline/202...
Job opportunity: Director, QUNO Geneva | QUNO
The Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva is looking for its next leader. If this could be you, please read the job pack and consider applying. You must be a member of the Religious Society of Friend...
quno.org
June 25, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Great job with an exceptional organisation. Please help to spread the word about this opportunity. quno.org/timeline/202...