Quaker Equality Week
6th to 15th March 2015 will be Quaker Equality Week, to publicise our testimony to equality in the face of the huge and increasing differences in levels of income and wealth in the UK. There will be Quaker vigils with posters, and other activities to draw attention to the need for greater equality, all over the country. (The Social Justice Group of Manchester & Warrington Area Quaker Meeting is co-ordinating Quaker Equality Week, with support from Friends House in London, particularly with publicity.)
The level of economic inequality in Britain goes against Quaker testimonies in a number of ways – it means that the hopes of many are destroyed, it isolates communities from each other, and makes it extremely difficult to tackle issues of climate change when the rich have a disproportionately great carbon footprint. The poor are hardest hit by the government’s benefit cuts. It is unfair to make the poor pay for austerity. The rich caused the crisis. If we were really “all in it together” there would be no bedroom tax, no harsh benefit sanctions regardless of circumstances, nor the increasingly degrading treatment of people with disabilities. And no need for food banks.
Events in Bury St Edmunds – all welcome
Friday 13 March 1pm – 2pm – Silent vigil – We will be around in the square roughly between 12.30pm – 2.30pm to hand out leaflets and answer any questions from the public.
Monday 16 March 7.30pm – Film evening – We hope to show a series of short films at The Meeting House about inequality issues, particularly wealth inequality, with discussions in between. The film night will be free, but we would ask attendees to bring a contribution for our food bank if they can.
9 – 15 March – Bury St Edmunds Library foyer display.
Useful links