Consistent with our commitment to answering that of God in everyone, Mountain View Friends Meeting stands with oppressed communities; speaking truthfully about injustice and inhumanity; and taking nonviolent action to confront and defeat such oppression, injustice, and inhumanity. The current administration is using the powers of the federal government to unconstitutionally, unlawfully, and immorally harm the residents of our country to impose a more authoritarian rule. These actions create more division, scapegoat the most vulnerable, and destroy trust in society and each other. This minute is intended to state our positions on actions taken and proposed by the federal government of the United States that cause harm nationally and globally. Mountain View Friends Meeting supports protecting the balance of powers in the legislative and judicial branches, return to due process, and acting in accordance with principles of justice.
Mountain View Friends Meeting opposes systemic oppression, war and any type of violence. We recognize the nation’s original sins of slavery and genocide of Indigenous persons and will oppose any effort to dismantle institutional protections for these oppressed peoples. The meeting strongly opposes any program to conduct mass deportations, close the border, reduce social safety net programs, or rescind legal protections for individuals and families to remain and work in the United States. We oppose any effort to further restrict or deny anyone’s right to control their personal autonomy and health care. We oppose expanded exploitation of our natural environment and failure to address the root causes of climate change. We oppose the use of military personnel to enforce or effect federal policies against the civilian population.
The Religious Society of Friends, although imperfect, has challenged unlawful and immoral governmental actions since 1656, and we will draw on this history to guide us in how to confront such action now. We are a Spirit-led community, and therefore seek guidance in the faithful belief that the Spirit will lead us collectively into unity, and will assist us in finding our individual leadings.