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Bristol pub cheapens Remembrance with ban on white poppy wearers

White poppy attached to a jacket

Bristol pub cheapens Remembrance with ban on white poppy wearers

The landlord of a pub in Bristol has said that customers who do not wear a red poppy will be refused service on Remembrance Sunday. 

But the Peace Pledge Union, who are responsible for white poppies, accused him of cheapening Remembrance by encouraging people to wear a poppy simply to get served in the pub.

Sean Donnelly, of the Three Lions pub in Bristol, has said that people wearing a white poppy or no poppy will be shown the door. He added that armed forces personnel and veterans will be given a free drink.

But the Peace Pledge Union asked how he would deal with veterans who choose to wear a white poppy, or to wear no poppy. The PPU pointed out that a percentage of white poppy wearers are themselves former armed forces personnel.

White poppies stand for remembrance for all victims of war of all nationalities, a commitment to peace and a rejection of any attempt to celebrate or sanitise war.

White poppy-based remembrance events will take place around the UK over the next two days, to remember all victims of war and to make a commitment to peace.