Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to letters@bangordailynews.com
The Vassalboro Friends Meeting (Quakers) has been, like many faith communities, holding prayer and offering support for people who are stressed by the U.S. government behaviors towards immigrants and foreign countries.
Our trust in the goodness of God tells us that it is our moral and spiritual responsibility to seek truth. We are clear that we are being lied to by our federal government. We testify to this by the evidence of our own eyes.
The violence exhibited by Homeland Security and ICE is not acceptable to us. We recognize our immigration system is bogged down, confusing and not always fair. This truth does not permit us to accept the violent and chaotic actions of our government. Violence in our streets must be rejected by all of us.
Our actions in Venezuela are not consistent with peace loving people. Our aggressive language directed towards Greenland will lead to more violence unless we insist on a different path.
The escalation of violence has moved us beyond prayer. We hope to inspire our friends, neighbors, government and service organizations to seek justice and assure the building of peace.
Quakers are peace seeking people and our faith requires us, even when fearful, to stand in witness for peace at home and across the world. We ask that you act upon your faith and your values to take all peaceful actions to insist on a return to civility and safety.
This message was faithfully approved by Friends gathered on Jan. 18.
Joann Austin
Clerk
Vassalboro Friends Meeting of the Society of Friends, Quaker
China