Quakers and Charlottesville
Harry Albright describes Friends’ responses to the violence in Virginia
Friends in the USA have reacted strongly to the events in Charlottesville, Virginia on 11 and 12 August, when white supremacist groups staged rallies which resulted in the death of one person, Heather Heyer, and many injuries. Friends also condemned president Donald Trump’s comments in the following days.
Before and during the rallies, Charlottesville Friends and clergy from other faiths held vigils calling for calm and peace. The movement ‘Congregate Charlottesville’ gathered pastors in a direct, nonviolent action.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) said that ‘the president encourages white supremacy, which denies equality of races and freedom of religion and promotes hate and violent acts. He insists on a false moral equivalency between white supremacy and protest. His failure of leadership condones hate, sows division among people, demeans our country, and diminishes hope.
‘The violence directed at people of colour, Jewish people, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and their allies in Charlottesville this weekend is reprehensible. We all have a responsibility to stand up and speak out against expressions of hatred in its many evil forms – especially because of the president’s failure to name that violence as unequivocally wrong.
FCNL’s statement added: ‘As Friends, we believe that every person contains the light of God, regardless of their identity, background, or beliefs. This fundamental truth that all life is precious and valuable is a foundation of FCNL’s advocacy. The violence and hatred that broke to the surface in Charlottesville is a call for us all – individually and corporately – to rededicate ourselves to action stemming from our belief in that of God in every person. Through our actions, words and prayers we must work to stand for justice and love, promoting the free exercise of religion and equality for all.’
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) said: ‘There is no “both sides” when it comes to racist hate and violence. The president’s failure to genuinely condemn white supremacy and vociferous attack on counter protesters – who stood against hate at risk of safety and life – is completely unacceptable. His words and actions deny the humanity of people of colour, who are increasingly under siege as the presidential administration gives quarter to hate.’
The Friends Council on Education said: ‘Quaker education is directly opposed to the violent expressions of hatred, racism, white supremacy and anti-Semitism in Charlottesville, Virginia. Quaker schools are committed to teaching [to students] habits of heart and mind that insist upon a disposition of openness and respect for every member of our community regardless of race, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, place of national origin, gender identity or gender expression.’
Gretchen Castle, general secretary of Friends World Committee for Consultation and a member of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, told the Friend: ‘FWCC and Quakers around the world join Friends in Charlottesville and in the USA in unity and compassion. The aggressive actions, loss of life, and the resulting lack of denunciation for such hatred are truly unacceptable. May our faith keep us strong. May our Quaker family give us hope. And may God bless the whole world.’
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