Let's talk about #WhitePoppies today (thread).

They started in the 1930s thanks to the Women Co-op Guild (many were war widows) due to discontent on how the tone of #RemembranceDay had shifted since the Armistice.

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#WhitePoppies remember all people who die or are affected by war, including British Armed forces, civilians, nurses, etc.

They are now produced by @PPUtoday. Wholesale profit support their work. Individual sellers donate profit to many causes inc military charities 2/10

#WhitePoppies are sometimes criticised for taking away a very small % of #RBL income, but we've seen how sellers may well donate to vets charities, and some people would not donate to RBL regardless of the existence of other poppies due to having issues with RBL 3/10

People wear #WhitePoppies for many reasons, & some wear both colours. Some are pacifists, some want to remember non-army dead too, some are uncomfortable with aspects of British military history. Not everyone's polite but white poppies aren't intrinsically anti-veteran. 4/10

Why do I wear a #WhitePoppy?
1. I remember the contributions of nurses, stretcher bearers, FAU, and other civilian volunteers who did much to alleviate suffering

2. I am aware of the great toll war has on non-combatants unfortunate enough to live in war zones

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Why do I wear a #WhitePoppy?

3. As a Xtian I believe war is always a tragedy and peace is the only way fwd for humanity

4. Additionally I believe Christ disarmed all Xtians when he disarmed Peter — pacifism was the standard position of many in the early Church

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Why do I wear a #WhitePoppy

5. I am concerned with some of the rhetoric surrounding Remembrance in modern times

6. I have some issues with the RBL, so I prefer to support other charities

7. I'm concerned about how much the govt outsources vet care to charities

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I wear a #WhitePoppy but I do not hate soldiers, though I have concerns about the UK military recruitment procedures, especially in light of @Medact's report & the UK use of armed forces. I usually donate to @CombatStress during this period. 8/10

A lot is said about #WhitePoppies and the @PPUtoday since they produce them. I'd like to highlight two faith groups that are also keen on them: @BritishQuakers & @forpeacemaker (I'm a member of the latter) 9/10

Finally, where to get #WhitePoppies? Online from @PPUtoday, on one of the outlets listed on their website, Quaker Meeting Houses, and potentially other local places of worship and shops. 10/10 https://www.ppu.org.uk/remembrance/white-poppy-outlets