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Our leadings on Peace and Social Justice Issues

Minute of Support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting DHS Lawsuit

 

February 23, 2025

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Harrisburg Monthly Meeting (HMM) of the Religious Society of Friends strongly supports Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) for the courage and conviction shown in joining New England Yearly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Adelphi and Richmond Monthly Meetings as plaintiffs in a lawsuit to block the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from its abrupt shift in policy that enables federal immigration enforcement officials to enter houses of worship for immigration enforcement actions. We appreciate the swift response of the General Secretary, Clerks and committee members who acted with purpose and clarity in making this happen. HMM is in unity with PYM and believes that houses of worship are sacred spaces and not a place where, “criminal aliens go to hide.”  We fully endorse PYM’s position that the Court should “declare unconstitutional any policy permitting government agents to carry out immigration enforcement at or near houses of worship when the policy is limited only by individual agents’ subjective ‘common sense,’ vacate the 2025 Policy, and enjoin DHS and its constituent agencies from implementing or enforcing the policy.”

With deep appreciation and support,  Harrisburg Monthly Meeting

Harrisburg Monthly Meeting Minute on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

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Nov 12, 2023

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Harrisburg Friends Meeting (Quakers), as part of The Religious Society of Friends, follows the Quaker testimony on peace, justice, and nonviolence, based in our experience of the divine in all of creation and within all persons:

Thus, we are deeply troubled by the suffering and injustice caused by the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and we are concerned that our government perpetuates that violence by continuing to send billions of dollars of military aid to the region. We affirm the right to self determination for both Israel and Palestine.

We call upon our nation to:

  • Work for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to save precious human life

  • Cease sending United States military aid and selling weapons to Israel and work to end military aid and arms sales from all outside countries to all parties in this conflict

  • Continue diplomatic efforts with all parties and remain in dialogue even with those who have acted violently

  • Work towards a just, comprehensive resolution that allows all people of the region to live in security and equality, and repairs harm that has been done

  • Join the international court system and accept its jurisdiction

We call upon all nations to:

  • Support efforts based in international law to bring justice, peace, security, and reconciliation to all parties in the conflict

  • Take measures to assure that international laws are applied universally

We call upon all individuals and communities to:

  • Support and learn from organizations that bring Israelis and Palestinians together for justice and peacemaking.

  • Examine how anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, and privilege affect our understanding of the conflict

Adapted from here: https://www.fcnl.org/updates/2017-12/quaker-meeting-minute-israel-palestine-conflict

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