Orders of white poppies from schools are significantly higher this year, campaigners say, citing growing concern over global conflict following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and factors such as the link to the climate crisis from a new recyclable white and green poppy . Russian and Ukrainian peace activists will address the Alternative Remembrance ceremony in London with recorded messages as events take place across the UK. Paula O’Rourke, a Green Party councilor and mayor of Bristol, told the Guardian she would lay a wreath of red poppies, with white ones added, to remember the sacrifice of members of the armed forces and support efforts to we fight for a more peaceful world. “In no way is it intended to diminish or take away from the role or importance of red poppies. I think it’s about adding something to this campaign,” he said. “Personally, I have worn a red poppy with a white one for many years and I think of its origins in the 1930s when the world was heading for a great war. We seem to be getting closer and closer today.” Last year, the University of Leicester was criticized by some commentators for including white poppies in its Remembrance Day wreaths. However, O’Rourke believes there is less controversy this year about using specific types of poppies. Actor Mark Rylance is among those wearing a white poppy this year after a campaign was launched by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), which distributes the symbols, worn in memory of war victims of all nationalities. Promotional videos have been made by poet Benjamin Zephaniah and comedian Kate Smurthwaite. The latter will speak at Sunday’s National Alternative Remembrance ceremony in London’s Tavistock Square. At the event you will hear recorded messages from the Russian Movement for Conscientious Objection, the Russian branch of War Resisters International, of which PPS is a part, and Yuriy Selyazhenko, secretary of the Ukrainian peace movement. Sheliazhenko said: “In my message, I say that it is important to remember all the victims of wars, which are essentially mass killings organized by governments that have failed to resolve their disputes peacefully.” Simon Hill, director of campaigns at the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), said there had been a surge in the organisation’s membership since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, with dozens of new members joining every week. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. There has also been an increase in the number of requests from schools looking for educational resources that PPR produces, he added, and a “significant increase” in the number of schools ordering boxes of 100 white poppies. “This may be partly due to the publicity in recent years, but it’s also probably due to more young people becoming politicized and involved in, for example, climate campaigns,” said Hill, who drew attention to peaceful protests on his college campuses. at least four UK universities in the past month. This included nonviolent direct action on university ties to arms companies. Student protesters, including PPU members, wore white poppies.
