Quakers call for leaders with integrity

Amid the noise around the visit to Britain of the president of the United States, Quakers in Britain are asserting that, “Humanity needs leaders of integrity and conscience, ready to be held to account by individuals and institutions, national and international."

Quakers say the president's policies can have a huge effect around the world, for good and ill. They see the visit as an opportunity to focus on three key US policies and have three clear messages for the president:

  • to reverse the decision to pull out of the Paris climate commitments;
  • to create a culture of sanctuary for those migrating or seeking asylum and to oppose racism in all its forms;
  • to sign onto the nuclear weapons ban treaty, alongside almost all other countries in the world.

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We pray for Donald Trump and call on him to undo the harm his policies cause and to use the gift of power justly.

- Paul Parker for Quakers in Britain

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Quakers have also challenged the UK government on racism and banning nuclear weapons and living up to its climate change commitments.

Ahead of the visit this week, Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain said, “Quakers seek to answer that of God in every person, in the powerful as well as the oppressed. Each one of us has the potential to change the world for the better. We pray for Donald Trump and call on him to undo the harm his policies cause and to use the gift of power justly."

In a statement made previously by their representative body, Meetings for Sufferings, Quakers said, “We pray for those in positions of power. We call on them, as public servants, to work with all of good faith to build the world we seek."

“There can be no peace without justice; no love without trust; and no unity without equality. Our faith urges us to welcome the stranger as our equal and friend, feed those who are hungry and shelter those who are homeless, needy and frightened."

Around Britain on Friday 13 July, Quakers are joining vigils and meetings for worship, and protests against the president's policies:

  • in Friends House in London, (opposite Euston Station) meeting for worship will begin at 12.30pm.
  • in Manchester, a meeting for worship will begin at 4.30pm before the public demonstration in Albert Square at 5.00pm

What Quakers say about racism, nuclear weapons and climate justice