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Today’s the day when in 1990 an anti-poll tax rally in central London erupted into the worst violence on the city streets for over a century. 45 police officers were among 113 people injured during the demonstration which saw 100,000 people turn out to protest against the poll tax. More than 400 people were arrested and damage estimated at £400,000 was done to surrounding properties. The poll tax enraged many people because it was an identical levy on individuals, regardless of how rich or poor they were. Its unpopularity contributed to the downfall of Margaret Thatcher. Her successor, John Major, appointed Michael Heseltine as Environment Secretary to dismantle the poll tax.

There has never been a shortage of just causes to protest about. But when protest becomes violent it becomes ineffective. Violence brings neither peace nor justice. Jesus himself gives us the perfect example of how evil is conquered by one who refuses violence. This is how the prophet Isaiah spoke about Jesus the Servant of God:

He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
    he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
    and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth…
     He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
    though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth.

There’s a beautiful way of life that God invites us to imitate. No violence in our words or deeds. Just sheer unfaltering obedience to God’s will.