Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Statement and Letter to President Bush
10
March 2002
President
George W. Bush
1600
Pennsylvania Avenue
WASHINGTON
DC 20500
Dear
Mr. President,
The
105 local Quaker congregations, or "meetings" in Delaware, eastern
Maryland, eastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey belong
to the unifying body known as Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. The
minutes of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for February 28, 2002
show that the following was approved.
Minute on Iraq
We
of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
unite with 90 other Friends Meetings across the United States
to endorse the Campaign of Conscience for the Iraqi people,
a faith-based nationwide campaign seeking to lift the non-military
sanctions against Iraq. These sanctions have had a devastating
impact on public health, education, and the economy. A member
of our Yearly Meeting, Susan Schaefer Davis, has had the opportunity
to visit Iraq and observe these consequences first hand.
As
a group we feel called to relieve the suffering of Iraqi civilians
by contributing $1000 to the American Friends Service Committee
program to repair Iraq's civilian infrastructure, such as water
treatment and distribution systems and power generation for
schools, hospitals and residential areas. We are asking our
members and constituent Meetings to make additional contributions
to the campaign.
We
urge the U.S. Government to grant export licenses for this strictly
humanitarian aid. We are well aware that, if this aid is sent
without an export license, the U.S. government might interpret
this as a violation of U.S. law with potential penalties. That
humanitarian aid could be construed to be illegal is an indication
of how deeply flawed this law is. That we, conscientiously law-abiding
citizens, unite in opposition to this law is a testimony to
our deeply held commitment to honor "that of God in everyone."
In
addition to urging others to join with us in providing immediate
humanitarian relief, we ask that consideration be given to changing
both the law and the U.S. Government's policy toward the people
of Iraq.
We
pray that you will give this matter your most thoughtful consideration.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Christine
Mahon, Clerk,
Interim
Meeting
OTHER QUAKER STATEMENTS & LETTERS
Reviewed:
09/06/2005
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