On November 12th, Bromley CND met at the Bromley War Memorial for their annual white poppy ceremony.
““White poppies are worn every year by thousands of people across the UK and beyond. They were first produced in 1933 in the aftermath of the First World War, by members of the Co-operative Women’s Guild. Many of these women had lost family and friends in the First World War. They wanted to hold on to the key message of Remembrance Day, ‘never again’.
”
A beautiful circle of white poppies carried at CND’s protest at RAF Lakenheath in September 2022
White poppies stand for three things.
Remembrance of all victims of war, including both civilians and members of the armed forces. We remember people of all nationalities. We remember those killed in wars happening now, as well as in the past. We also remember those who are often excluded from the mainstream, such as refugees and victims of colonial conflicts.
Challenging war and militarism, as well as any attempt to glorify or celebrate war. White poppies encourage us to question the way war is normalised and justified. They remind us of the need to resist war and its causes today.
A commitment to peace and to seeking nonviolent solutions to conflict. By drawing attention to the devastating human cost of war, white poppies highlight the urgency of our ongoing struggle for peace.”
Bromley CND was joined by Yvonne Williams from Lewisham CND, members of the South East London Network for Peace, Justice and Solidarity and Bromley Humanists.
They took photographs on the seat dedicated to Paul Rainey - geologist, environmentalist and Bromley Quaker peace campaigner.
There were statements, songs and poems.