often seen in the street without a hat

I was also confused by that story, mostly because I had no idea that white poppies were available as an option, I've never seen one. And besides, aren't the red poppies supposed to be about remembering the people who died, not commemorating war, so I don't really see the need for a different coloured one for pacifism anyway.
And I really don't get the Christianity argument. Is bizarre.