Lopez Island Friends Meeting Speaks Out on Failures of US Government
*A MINUTE OF CONSCIENCE AND PUBLIC WITNESS
Approved by Lopez Island Friends Meeting, May 17, 2026
The Lopez Island Friends Meeting (Lopez Island, WA) adopts this minute of conscience at this specific time in our country’s history. As Quakers, we believe that God can be found in each of us. Our faith in the inherent dignity and worth of each person guides our vision of the world we seek and leads us to advocate persistently for policies to bring it closer to that vision.
Throughout its history, our country has at times failed to live up to its founding principles. Our faith leads us to bear witness and speak out against such failures. Our loyalties are to truth, constitutional governance, moral responsibility and the sacred worth of every person.
We find ourselves especially concerned about what we have lost under the current administration. We name these concerns soberly and without partisanship. It is our fervent hope that these patterns of action be reversed:
Undermining of democratic processes such as:
-Changing constitutional structures, including the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances.
-Threatening free speech and voting processes.
-Limiting freedom of the press, the rise of propaganda and misinformation, the distortion of historical truth, including the experiences of marginalized communities.
-Failing to faithfully execute enacted laws.
-Using of public office for personal financial gain.
Erosion of civil rights and failures to provide due process to those on American soil.
Failure to use our public funds for public good such as:
-Reductions in food, healthcare, and social support programs affecting children, elders, veterans, and vulnerable persons.
-Defunding of scientific and medical research.
Abandonment of the vision of a peaceful world through international cooperation and global partnerships including:
-Alignment with governments that suppress human rights.
-Support of the military industrial complex while abandoning international peace and aid opportunities, resulting in civilian suffering.
Retreat from environmental stewardship and weakening of ecological protections illustrated by:
-Failure to substantially support the UN process to address climate change.
-Abandonment of domestic programs and investments that are designed to counter environmental degradation.
Lack of transparent accountability and restorative justice in matters of sexual exploitation at all levels in our country and communities.
We encourage Friends, and all who share our concerns to engage in public witness, to communicate with elected officials, offer tangible aid to those in need, and engage in any other form of peaceful civic action that is revealed to us as being necessary.
*Originally prepared and approved by Palo Alto Friends (Quaker) Meeting - April 24, 2026
In Quaker practice, “minutes” are a record to publicly share our support or opposition to issues related to our beliefs regarding peace and other values present in Quaker faith and actions.
MINUTE ON THE U.S. AND ISRAELI ATTACK ON IRAN*
Adopted this 22ND day of March, 2026.
Like many around the world, members and attenders of the Lopez Island Friends Meeting are deeply disturbed by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and by the US assassination of Iranian government leaders.
The recent military actions of our government on this and other occasions without concern for the requirements of the US Constitution and the provisions of International Law, including the Charter of the United Nations, require that we speak out.
We call upon our fellow citizens and our government officials to work for a prompt ceasefire, a return to respectful negotiations, compliance with the provisions of international law and our own Constitution, and observance of the moral demand embodied in all religions that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
In addition, we endorse the statement by the Friends Committee on National Legislation which can be found at https://www.fcnl.org/updates/2026-02/quaker-lobby-condemns-attacks-iran-and-calls-deescalation-diplomacy-and, which we also encourage others to read and endorse.
Lopez Island Friends Meeting
Lopez Island, WA
https://lopezisland.friendsmeeting.org
Iris Graville and John Helding, co-clerks
* With appreciation to Walla Walla Friends Meeting for sharing this minute for our consideration.
Banner photo by Irina Kryvasheina