 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 (XXXX 5) |
As the United States moved toward escalated military action against Iraq and the government of Saddam Hussein, Friends mobilized to raise their voices for peace. What follows is a selection of actions reported by Friends in various locations.
The executives of five Quaker organizations developed a joint statement in response to the threat of war with Iraq. In it, they criticized the doctrine put forward by U.S. political leaders that the United States has a right to launch unilateral, preemptive military strikes on any nation or group to counter a perceived threat. “Such a terrible precedent would undermine international law and the U.N. Charter and could lead to a tremendous increase in wars and violence in the future,” the Quaker executives said. The complete statement is available online at www.pym.org.
A Quaker women’s peace vigil at the Pentagon on October 20 was endorsed by the PYM Women’s Gathering Group. The vigil grew out of days of extended worship among women Friends from May through September.
PYM General Secretary Thom Jeavons went to Washington for a day in September to lobby with other religious leaders from the National Council of Churches. He visited several congressional offices to raise concerns about the plan to attack Iraq.
Seaville Meeting (NJ) has set up a table with peace literature at an Ocean City coffeehouse and had a peace table at the Oktoberfest Block Party in Ocean City. Friends have organized a Peace Awareness Bike Ride on November 3 on the Ocean City Boardwalk. The Meeting had a letter-writing campaign to influence members of Congress.
The Peace Committee of Langley Hill Meeting (VA) arranged for a silent peace vigil to take place each Tuesday evening on the West Lawn of the Capitol in Washington.
Doylestown Meeting (PA) holds a vigil every Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 in front of the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown. Signs read "No War on Iraq," "Wage Peace," "Vigil for Peace," "Abolish Nuclear Weapons." The vigil has been going on since September 2001. Attendance during the week of the congressional vote went up to 30 people, including both Friends and non-Friends.
Central Philadelphia Meeting arranged group meetings with aides to Senator Arlen Specter and Senator Rick Santorum to express views on the Iraq situation. Letters to Congress are encouraged at the peace table in the meetinghouse. Member Tony Junker started a campaign of blue ribbons for peace which were available at Friends Center.
Atlantic City Area Meeting (NJ) reports that individual Friends have participated in anti-war protests at various locations. Friends were included in a group of constituents who met with U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo to present arguments against an Iraq war. Peter Lems of the American Friends Service Committee spoke at the meetinghouse about the wretched conditions in Iraq and the consequences of another war.
Friends in Fallowfield Meeting (PA) have arranged two visits to the Islamic Center of Chester County, a mosque in West Chester. The visits bring Friends closer to the Muslim community.
Under the care of London Grove Meeting (PA), a Vigil for Peace takes place every Friday, 4:00-5:30 p.m., at the central intersection in Kennett Square. Simple signs and a peace leaflet for passersby are present.
Newark Meeting (DE) and Kennett Meeting (PA) had public outreach efforts in September and October associated with local community sidewalk days. In both instances, a presence that affirmed peace rather than warmaking was offered. Peace literature as well as information about the Meetings and about Quakerism was given to inquirers.
Several Quaker women in Philadelphia shaved their heads in front of the Liberty Bell on September 26 and October 18 in a protest against the movement toward war with Iraq. Separately, Quaker-organized prayer vigils for peace continue at 4 p.m. Sundays at the Liberty Bell. Attendance has increased recently. A group of Friends from Central Philadelphia Meeting planned a midday nonviolent demonstration at the Liberty Bell on November 1.
Moorestown Friends School and Moorestown Meeting (NJ) were sending a bus to the October 26 peace demonstration in Washington.
Richland Meeting (PA) held a march from the meetinghouse to Main and Broad Streets in Quakertown and from there to the train station where they held a vigil on September 29.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM