International Conscientious Objectors’ Day
Updated on 15 May 2022
International Conscientious Objectors’ Day, held annually every 15 May, commemorates those who refused to kill for war.
In London each year, a brief ceremony is held at the Commemorative Stone (pictured above), during which the names of representative people who ‘maintained the right to refuse to kill’ are read out. White flowers are laid on the stone for each of the people remembered.
The London event is organised by the Peace Pledge Union, which is the oldest secular pacifist organisation in Britain. Since 1934, it has been campaigning for a war-free world.
On the day, similar events take place throughout Britain and across the world.
The 2022 national ceremony was held at Tavistock Square, London and was live streamed.