It has been our pleasure to host members of the 2025 Quaker Walk, on May 10-11, to meet them, hear their stories, share a meal and the James Turrell Skyspace, worship with, and walk with them.
We were fascinated to learn of the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657, wherein the people of Flushing refused to be unkind to Quakers, and instead, wished to welcome them into their community. The townspeople’s message was one of love and acceptance, based in the teachings of the Bible and the Torah. The writers invoked The Golden Rule more than once — to doe unto all men as we desire all men should doe unto us.
That young Quakers today would embrace this message and re-interpret it for today’s world, where those with power in the United States government seek to belittle, cast out, and deny all manner of due process to migrants who have come here seeking freedom and relief from economic and political suffering, is rightly ordered.
In the true spirit of Quakerism, we lift up this message of love and acceptance, to migrants, immigrants, and all who are experiencing discrimination due to their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of origin, or documentation status.
We ask our government to observe the Golden Rule, which has always been so central to the American way of life, and treat all people with dignity and respect.
We hold all in the Light and hope our blessings for peace, strength and courage will sustain you.
