Quakers say Met raid was 'ridiculously heavy-handed'

Six young supporters arrested were eating a pot of hummus

- ALEX CROFT

The Quakers in Britain group has condemned the arrests of six Youth Demand supporters by more than 30 police officers.

The arrests were the first “in living memory” to occur in a Quaker meeting house, said Paul Parker, recording clerk for the group, after the officers detained the Youth Demand supporters at 7.30pm in Westminster on Thursday.

“This aggressive violation of our place of worship and the forceful removal of young people holding a protest group meeting clearly shows what happens when a society criminalises protest,” he said. “Freedom of speech, assembly, and fair trials are an essential part of free public debate which underpins democracy.”

The detainees were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, police said. Youth Demand said the meeting was held to “share plans for non-violent civil resistance actions” planned for April.