At Peace Pilgrimage we are concerned about the increasingly draconian approach taken by the UK state towards protest.  While our pilgrimages are a spiritual witness, rather than a secular protest, we respect and affirm the wider movement against militarism and the arms trade, and the use of a range of non-violent protest tactics. As people witnessing with a deep spiritual conviction for peace, we stand alongside all those with a longing to see our war-torn world become more peaceful.

Over the past five years we have seen successive governments use legislation and policy to apply heavy-handed policing to protest, and disproportionate sentencing for non-violent direct action.  In the courts, defendants have been prevented from offering legitimate defences that their actions were intended to prevent serious crimes under international law.  

The misuse of counter-terror legislation is particularly worrying in this regard.  Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Liberty have long criticised the UK’s overly-broad definition of terrorism, and the excessive restrictions on freedom of expression that this facilitates.  Emergency powers that were ostensibly to be used against the most serious violent acts, have instead been used to curb non-violent protest, and place limits on freedom of expression that would not be considered acceptable in other circumstances.

This overreach is attempting to prevent protestors from disrupting systems that create destruction and death.  However, these powers are also intended to have a chilling effect on all forms of protest and witness.  That is why, whilst we cannot comment on specific proscribed groups, we feel that it is important to make this statement upholding the principles of freedom of expression and assembly.  We call on the UK government both to uphold human rights at home, and to end the sales of weapons that create suffering, death and genocide around the world.

As we set out on foot this September, with the intention of sowing seeds of peace, we walk in solidarity with all those who are committed to a non-violent and just transformation of our world.