Quakers in Britain statement following intimidation and violence in Dover and Portsmouth

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Seek to understand the causes of injustice, social unrest and fear. Are you working to bring about a just and compassionate society which allows everyone to develop their capacities and fosters the desire to serve?
- Advices & queries 33

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This weekend, black-clad, masked vigilantes blocked roads in Dover and Portsmouth, trying to stop terrified people reaching safety. These were acts of intimidation, not persuasion.

Britain has a proud history of sheltering people fleeing war and persecution. Migrants strengthen our communities, our economy and our public services. They are not the enemy. The answer to division is not more division, it is fairness, truth, and shared responsibility.

We know that healthy communities are built on dignity, not fear. The real danger on our streets this weekend was not a dinghy carrying frightened families. It was organised groups intent on spreading fear, motivated by mistrust and hatred.

As Meeting for Sufferings said in 2017, “We reject policies which condone suspicion and hatred; which turn away those who need and depend upon our help. We were not put on Earth for this, but to be a people of God, to live in harmony with each other."

We call on political leaders of every party to condemn this intimidation and violence without qualification, and on the public to reject the politics of blame. At times like this, we need leaders of courage who can strongly condemn violence and intimidation towards those seeking sanctuary and minoritised communities.

We are all called to build a peaceful world, and our actions to do so must be rooted in love. We can all be leaders in our own circles and communities, even as we ask our national leaders to reaffirm that everyone who lives here is part of our shared community.