Eighth Month 12, 2018  Statement from Charlottesville Meeting of the Religious Society of  Friends (Quakers)

    Responding to white supremacy and antisemitism on August 12th

Last year, in 2017, when white supremacists massed in Charlottesville for
the “Unite the Right Rally,” the Quakers of Charlottesville Friends Meeting
of the Religious Society of Friends gave peaceful witness against their  racialized terrorism. We were ​compelled by our faith to be present when  our community was under attack. We sought to demonstrate our faith and
to embody our testimonies by gathering for worship in the midst of the  unrest. ​In response to the threats of these neo-Nazis directed against Jews  and people of color we attended interfaith worship events and held a public
worship service to show solidarity with those under attack in our
community. With our neighbors, Quakers mourned the deaths of three
people–Heather Heyer, Berke Bates, and Jay Cullen–who died during that
horrific weekend, as well as the many people who were badly injured and
traumatized.
This year we again felt called to publicly express our principles in the
face of potential violence on this anniversary. In Charlottesville, we
participated with other congregations in interfaith worship, sponsored a
community singing event, and again held meeting for worship in a public  park. ​ We endeavored to show peaceful, but nonpassive, support for those
standing up for our community. Our Meeting House was kept open all
weekend as a place of sanctuary, as well as a place of worship.
The core convictions of our Quakerism stand in stark opposition to
those of white supremacy and antisemitism. The founder of the Quaker
movement, George Fox, declared that “there is that of God in everyone.”
This belief in the Inward Light spurs us to embrace the fundamental
humanity of others. It is this message that led prior generations of Quakers
to struggle to abolish slavery, recognize the equality of women, and work to
provide relief to the needy.
Faithfulness to the Inward Light, what the Gospel of John calls “the
true light, which enlightens everyone,” requires the rejection of racial and  religious injustice wherever it is found. On this anniversary weekend, ​we are  bearing witness to the harmful effects that white supremacy has had on our
community and holding space in our hearts for the transformation that still
needs to happen in order for equity to be realized.