Dozens of police officers batter down door of pacifist Quaker meeting house to arrest activists discussing climate change and Gaza

Dozens of Metropolitan Police officers battered down a door to arrest six women at a Quaker meeting group while they were discussing climate change and Gaza.

More than 30 police officers made the arrests at a welcome talk held at the Westminster Meeting House at around 7.30pm on Thursday, March 27, according to Youth Demand.

It is believed to be the first time in the history that the police have forced their way into the pacifist groups place of worship.

Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, said the move by the Met was an aggressive violation of their rights.

He said: No-one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory.

This aggressive violation of our place of worship and the forceful removal of young people holding a protest group meeting clearly shows what happens when a society criminalises protest.

Freedom of speech, assembly, and fair trials are an essential part of free public debate which underpins democracy.

Those arrested were held on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, police said.

More than 30 police officers made the arrests at a welcome talk held at the Westminster Meeting House (above) at around 7.30pm on Thursday, March 27

Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, said the move by the Met was an aggressive violation of their rights (Stock Image)

It is believed to be the first time in the history that the police have forced their way into the pacifist groups place of worship

However, Youth Demand said the meeting was an opportunity to share plans for non-violent civil resistance actions due to take place next month.

The group claimed a number of houses were also raided on the same night and into Friday, March 28, as part of the operation.

In a statement, Quakers in Britain said: Quakers support the right to nonviolent public protest, acting themselves from a deep moral imperative to stand up against injustice and for our planet.

Many have taken nonviolent direct action over the centuries from the abolition of slavery to womens suffrage and prison reform.

Youth Demand, which describes itself as a new youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to genocide, began carrying out acts of civil disobedience last year.

However, Youth Demand said the meeting was an opportunity to share plans for non-violent civil resistance actions due to take place next month (Pictured: The activist group cover the Picasso painting Motherhood with a photo of a Gazan mother and child)

 Its demands of the Government include stopping all trade with Israel and raising money from the super rich and fossil fuel elite to pay damages for the effects of fossil fuel burning.

Previous demonstrations by Youth Demand included three people hanging a banner and laying rows of childrens shoes outside Sir Keir Starmers home in April last year, following which three people in their 20s were handed suspended prison sentences.

More of the groups members were arrested last July after they announced plans to disrupt the State Opening of Parliament.

MailOnline has approached the Metropolitan Police for full comment.