London: Day of prayers and protests for peace

Campaigners at St Anselm and Cecilia's Church

At the end of a week in which the news from Gaza and the West Bank was increasingly grim, and there were the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many thousands of peace campaigners of all faiths and none took part in several major events in London - most of which have not been reported by the mainstream media.

Here's a brief summary - more in-depth reports to come during the week.

St Anselm and Cecilia's Catholic Church in Holborn hosted the Christians For Palestine Ecumenical Service, introduced by Rev Sam Fletcher, with readings and prayers written by Christian Palestinians. They began: "We gather in the presence of God to mourn, to cry out for justice and peace in the Middle East, and to commit ourselves to act for liberation."

At the end of the service, Rev Richard Sewell Dean of St George's College, Jerusalem who is currently on holiday here, gave a brief address, thanking everyone for being there. He said Palestinians are very grateful for the support they are receiving at this difficult time. We then processed out onto the street and joined the National March as it came by - fitting in with our banners behind the huge Jewish Bloc, with Holocaust survivors and their families.

More than 300,000 people took part in the march from Russell Square to Whitehall. People of all ages, many faiths, trade unions, community groups, musicians and artists were represented.

Hundreds attended the separate event further on in Parliament Square, organised by Defend Our Juries. Participants held up signs saying 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' 532 people were arrested including Sir Jonathon Porritt, 75, and Chris Romberg 75, a former army officer and son of a Holocaust survivor. Several were retired doctors and nurses. More than half of those arrested were over 65.

Sacha Deshmukh, CEO of Amnesty International said: "The protesters in Parliament Square were not inciting violence and it is entirely disproportionate to point of absurdity to treat them as terrorists."

In the early evening, a special peace service organised by Pax Christi was held at Westminster Cathedral to commemorate the life and witness of Blessed Franz Jagerstatter, who was executed on 9 August 1943 for refusing to join Hitler's army. Sr Katrina Alton CSJP gave the reflection. Ellen and Gerry Teague and Marion Hill led the music.

After that service there was an interfaith procession from Westminster Cathedral to the London Peace Pagoda, where a very moving interfaith service was held to remember the many thousands who lost their lives at Nagasaki on this day. There was a Buddhist blessing from Rev Nagase Shonin. Fr Dominic Robinson SJ and Rev David Walsh led Christian prayers. As the sun began to set, Rev Fergus O'Connor gave a reflection, actor Michael Mears read a poem and Paul Steele sang a song for peace, before the final lantern lighting ceremony.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols sent a message of support to Rev Nagase in which he said: "I extend my prayerful support and blessing to all those who will participate in these events, and to all who continue the vital work of building peace on our world."

Finally about 9.30 on Saturday evening, in a visually striking ritual, a group of progressive rabbis, including the most senior rabbis, from communities across the UK gathered outside 10 Downing Street to protest the continuation of the war in Gaza. Wearing black, with no flags or badges they prayed in solidarity with the hostages and those Gazans being starved and suffering from lack of essential aid.

Charley Baginsky, CEO of Liberal Judaism, said: 'We are standing in solidarity WITH Israelis WITH Palestinians FOR Peace."

Shulamit Ambalu, Chair of Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors; Rabbi of Sha'arei Tzedek Synagogue, said: "Havdalah marks the end of the Sabbath and divides the past from the future. We are singing, praying, and lighting this candle of hope for immediate change.."

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