Peter Tatchell Inspires Barking Abbey Students

Barking Abbey School was honoured to host internationally renowned human-rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, whose powerful talk encouraged our students to see themselves as active citizens and changemakers. Tatchell, who has spent 59 years campaigning for human rights in Britain and around the world, urged students to believe that they too can make their school, community and world a better place.

Tatchell shared highlights from his extraordinary life of activism: taking part in over 3,000 protests, being arrested 103 times in several countries, and even being violently attacked for standing up for justice, including by President Mugabe’s bodyguards. Despite all this, he reminded students, “I am still here, and I am still campaigning.”

What resonated with the audience was how early his journey began. Tatchell took his first stand for justice at 15 years old, the same age as many of our students. Inspired by role models of non-violent resistance such as Gandhi, the suffragettes and Martin Luther King, he described how his political awareness first began at age 11, when he learned about the bombing of a Black church by the Ku Klux Klan, which killed four young girls, thousands of miles away. Even as a child he knew it was wrong, and it prompted him to reflect critically on injustices closer to home, such as the treatment of Aboriginal people in Australia. At 15, he even launched his own fundraising campaign to support Aboriginal rights, reminding students that “every little bit helps.”

One of the most memorable moments of the talk was Tatchell’s affirmation of the power of peaceful action. He told students:

“Words are a weapon, a non violent, peaceful weapon that is far greater and more powerful than a sword or a gun.”

The Q&A session covered thoughtful and challenging topics. Students asked whether violence in protest can ever be justified, and whether the violence he has faced ever made him consider giving up. Tatchell was clear that retirement is not yet on the horizon. When questioned about the state of democracy in the UK, he emphasised that peaceful protest is the lifeblood of democracy, and that protecting the right to protest, even for those we disagree with, is what distinguishes democratic societies from authoritarian ones.

Tatchell had spoken at Oxford University the previous day, yet he described the Barking Abbey event, arranged by students for students, as especially meaningful. The visit was organised by Samaira and Tayyibah as part of their Year 11 Active Citizenship project, highlighting what young people can accomplish when they take initiative.

His message to Barking Abbey students was clear: you are never too young to stand up for what is right. Change begins with awareness, courage and the willingness to act. Be active citizens, stand up, speak out and hand the next generation a kinder, better society.

Thank you to the amazing Year 11s for arranging this talk, to Mr Cohen for recording it and to Mr Madigan for ensuring all Citizenship students were able to take part.