MORE than a dozen women gathered in a vigil on Saturday at the historic Martyrs Memorial in Oxford to show their support for peace “and an end to militarism.”

The Women in Black Oxford group is part of a worldwide network committed to peace that actively opposes injustice, war, militarism and all forms of violence.

They bring women together in silent vigil who are committed to peace.

The Oxford group, which meets in silent vigil at 2pm for an hour every Saturday, asked passers-by sign a petition to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The petition asks for leave to remain to be granted to women and children seeking asylum from war and conflict, a cancellation of Britain’s military and trade links with Saudi Arabia and a recognition of the connections between wars, patriarchal violence and the climate emergency.

Long-time peace activist Carol Stavris said: “We focus on wars that are happening everywhere and an end to militarism.

“This is part of a long tradition in Oxford of women organising for peace and I’m here to make my statement for peace.”

Teacher and trade union activist Michelle Codrington-Rogers said: “If we don’t stand up for peace, equality and safety for our children and for women across the world then no-one else will and then war happens.”

Kathryn Edwards, who has been working with Women in Black for more than 20 years, said: “It puzzles me why anyone thinks war is a solution to anything. It’s heartbreaking.

“There seems to be a default to violence. After all the violence and bloodshed people always get together and talk. We say let’s cut out the violence and go straight to dialogue.”

There are other regular Women in Black vigils in London, Leicester, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Cambridge and Bradford. Details are on www.womeninblack.org.