Statement on Authoritarian Overreach
Germantown Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends condemns the efforts of the Trump administration to bring in the military to deal with protests against the Administration’s policies against undocumented immigrants. While much media attention has been on Southern California, we know from other efforts by the Administration that the policies are national in scope, dubious in legality, and cruel in impact, with the likelihood of dividing families and undermining support systems for marginal communities.
Our condemnation also reflects the opposition of the city and state governments of Los Angeles and California respectively to the presence and necessity of troops. The military presence, inflamed by Administration rhetoric, will likely heighten the possibility of violence, not protect against it. We fully oppose violence in protest on this issue.
Accordingly, We:
1. Urge the withdrawal of the military presence
2. Call for an end to the raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
3. Support continuing nonviolent protests against the Administration’s immigration policies
4. Urge other Friends as well as ourselves to develop strategies of opposition and action to the current immigration policies.
Approved, Germantown Monthly Meeting, 15 June 2025
