Conscientious Objectors Day 2020

Ellen Teague
May 14th, 2020

Conscientious Objectors' Day 2019

International Conscientious Objectors' Day commemorates all those who have refused to bear arms and participate in war, throughout history and today. Marking International Conscientious Objectors Day this year will be different from the usual annual gathering of several hundred people in Tavistock Square, London. An online event at noon on 15 May will include an individual placing flowers on the CO memorial in Tavistock Square and the photo being shared on social media with the hashtag #CODay2020.

To access at noon go to www.ppu.org.uk/international-conscientious-objectors-day

All the usual ceremonies held around the UK this year will be online.

In Scotland, a vigil will be held at 5.30pm, with stories of conscientious objectors from the First and Second World Wars told by their descendants, profiles of contemporary COs and an update on work in support of COs at the UN. The vigil will livestream at: https://www.facebook.com/edinpeaceandjusticecentre

From Leicester at 6pm, listen to stories about conscientious objectors - Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Socialist - from around the world. It is organised by Leicester CND, Soka Gakkai, Community of Christ and other faith groups, joined by members of Red Leicester Choir and Coventry Quakers. Also, during the day, keeping physical distance, flowers can be left on the Conscientious Objector Memorial in Leicester. Join online with Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/492546725?pwd=WXVCQUoyZ0I5bmxYZ1F5WjhZQS9EUT09&status=success

Valerie Flessati of Pax Christi has sent around ideas for actions that can be done at home. These include making a poster to display in a window, reading the names of representative COs from most countries across the centuries, and personal consideration of 'What orders would you refuse to obey?' These and other suggestions are on the Peace Pledge Union website. It contains stories of conscientious objectors, peace songs by Sue Gilmurrary of the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship and a history of the day.

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