“We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers.”
Bayard Rustin
QUAKERS DISCERN GENOCIDE IS OCCURRING IN GAZA AND URGE
COURAGEOUS ACTION
September 18, 2025
The Working Group of The People of Color Worship & Reflection Group has endorsed the statement signed by eight Quaker organizations, “Quakers Discern Genocide is Occurring in Gaza and Urge Courageous Action.” We also recommend that the New York Yearly Meeting endorse this statement as well.
See full statement at:
https://afsc.org/newsroom/quakers-discern-genocide-occurring-gaza-and-urge-courageous-action
Other Signatories:
American Friends Service Committee
Canadian Friends Service Committee
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Friends World Committee for Consultation
Quakers in Britain/ Quaker Peace and Social Witness
Quaker Council on European Affairs
Quaker Service Norway
Quaker United Nations Office
NEW SANCTUARY ORGANIZING MEETING
New Sanctuary Organizing Meetings —Thursdays, 5:30 -7:30 pm at Brooklyn Meeting House, 110 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY. Visit New Sanctuary Coalition to learn how you can protect our neighbors and develop ways to face what is threatening immigrant communities. Under the current administration we are all potential targets. Forming a strong community now is crucial. These weekly gatherings are a place to come together, share information, and plan actions.
Quaker organizations call for a ceasefire
and humanitarian protections in Gaza
This group is under the care of Brooklyn’s Peace and Social Action Committee.
October 17, 2023
Quakers believe in the sacred worth of each person and stand against violence in all its forms.
As Quaker organizations, we mourn all lives lost and lament with everyone who is
suffering. We grieve for those in Israel and Palestine who have lost precious lives. We pray
with those waiting for the return of loved ones and those living under siege and
bombardment.
The Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 killed over 1,300 Israelis, and civilian hostages were
taken by Hamas into Gaza. As of October 16, the subsequent Israeli military attack on Gaza
had killed at least 2,950 Palestinians, including over 1,030 children. It had displaced more
than one million Palestinians in Gaza, with over 7,500 homes destroyed. Today, on October
17, we are deeply saddened at additional losses, especially the bombing of the Al-Ahli
Hospital, with reports of at least 500 casualties. These numbers will continue to rise if attacks
do not end.
For the full statement please visit Quno.org
POC supports the following campaigns:
Tzu Chi New York Chapter Weekly Food Pantry. The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation supports many programs that give relief and comfort to those most vulnerable in our communities. Learn more at https://tzuchi.us
Stop the Casino in Flushing Corona Park – Working to fight the appropriation of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park for private interests. More information on Twitter at Flushing Anti-Displacement Alliance@flushing_ADA.
The Massage License Decriminalization Act (A.8281 Gonzalez-Rojas). This proposed New York State act removes criminal penalties for those who practice unlicensed massage and prevent law enforcement from seizing the property of massage workers, which disproportionately affects Asian women in the New York City area. For more information visit www.RedCanarySong.org.
Freedom Not Jail Campaign (S.2881B/A.8524 Forrest). Amending Criminal Procedure Law Article 216 of the judicial diversion law expands eligibility for treatment for court-involved individuals and shifts the presumption from incarceration to community support. For more information visit https://www.innovatingjustice.org/about/announcements/treatment-not-jail
For more outreach and action opportunities, visit these organizations:
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) – https://www.fcnl.org/ The Friends Committee on National Legislation lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, opportunity, and environmental stewardship.
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) – https://afsc.org/ AFSC works for a just, peaceful, and sustainable world free of violence, inequality, and oppression.
Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) – https://quno.org/ A Quaker presence at the United Nations, representing Friends’ concerns for global peace and justice to the international community.
Earth Quaker Action Team – EQAT.org a grassroots, nonviolent action group including Quakers and people of diverse beliefs, who join with millions of people around the world fighting for a just and sustainable economy.
Green Earth Urban Gardens – greenearthurbangardens.org A local Queens organization devoted to promoting social and environmental solutions through urban agriculture and therapeutic gardening, including the establishment of a pollinator garden at the Old Quaker Meeting House in conjunction with The Lowell School.
Olde Towne of Flushing Burial Ground Conservancy – otfbgconservancy.org A local Flushing organization devoted to the conservancy of this historic landmark cemetery for the black and indigenous community, ensuring it is properly used and maintained.
People of Color Worship & Reflection Group 