Protest the Pope open meeting

September 17, 2010 19:30

Published: August 15, 2010 00:29 by Paul King |

Tagged as: abuse child pope protest repression social_struggles solidarity the vatican workers_struggles

Places: richmond

The campaign to stop the Pope from visiting the UK on a state visit in September is lending its support to a group of local residents in Twickenham. The local group, named “Richmond Coalition against the State Visit” will be protesting against the planned visit of the Pope to Twickenham on 17th September, where the pontiff will talk about his views on Education at St Mary’s University College. An open meeting has been organised in Richmond on 12th August where speakers from Protest the Pope will outline the reasons for protesting against honouring Joseph Ratzinger with a state visit. After the meeting, local people will have the chance to discuss plans for a protest in September with representatives of local groups who have joined the coalition. Andrew Copson of Protest the Pope stated, ‘We were approached by several people and organisations in Richmond who were concerned that the Pope plans to come to their area as part of a state visit in September. Although we agree that the Pope may visit the UK in his capacity as a religious leader, we are concerned that this visit is being given state recognition; something that accords honour and public funding to a questionable state which has a dubious reputation for human rights. ‘The public meeting in Richmond will allow a full discussion of the issues with local people and will allow those who wish to protest against his visit to Twickenham a voice.’

Contact email: pepper@humanism.org.uk

---