DHS Lawsuit Minute

At Meeting with Attention to Business this day, Downingtown Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends minutes their support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s recent corporate witness undertaken to block federal immigration enforcement officials from entering houses of worship for immigration enforcement activities. This step was taken to ensure Quaker values are maintained as we support vulnerable community members. We hold in the Light those individuals impacted by this new policy as well as those who are actively moving this lawsuit forward on behalf of long held Quaker principles of peace, equality, and social justice. [Read more…] about Downingtown Monthly Meeting Minutes Their Support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

We are with you — and commend your joining with New England and Baltimore Yearly Meetings and Adelphi and Richmond Friends Meetings in recently submitting a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

We admire this speedy reaction to the rescinding of religious protections of people in Religious buildings and the broadened power of the Department of Homeland Security. We agree that our Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom is at stake and that your strong response is exactly what is needed.

In his drafting of the Pennsylvania Constitution, William Penn wrote “No people can be truly happy, though under the greatest enjoyments of civil liberties, if abridged of the Freedom of their Conscience as to their Religious Profession and Worship”. Further, “No men, nor number of men upon earth, hath power or authority to rule over men’s consciences in religious matters.”

We are all struggling with what is currently unfolding in Washington, D.C. However, we are heartened by your forthright and speedy action in defense of religious freedom.

With sincere and heartfelt appreciation,

Miyo Moriuchi
Clerk, Chestnut Hill Monthly Meeting
Philadelphia, PA

Abington Monthly Meeting Minute  2/20/25

Abington Monthly Meeting is in accord with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, associated yearly meetings, and other denominations, in their lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security for suddenly revoking sanctuary protections for immigrants in houses of worship. We believe in the freedom of religion, for all to worship as they choose without fear.  Quakers aim to speak to and importantly to live the testimonies that guide Quaker faith especially here Equality, Community and Peace.  Sacred spaces cannot be violated by immigration officials surveilling or seeking to enter them. Our community welcomes new immigrants and would be harmed by the inhumane treatment of them.

In addition, we support the multifaith coalition that includes Friends General Conference together with The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) in a second lawsuit opposing the recision of ICE’s sensitive locations policy, a policy that has been in effect since 2011.

Syracuse Friends Meeting shared the following minute with New York Yearly Meeting. They also gave Philadelphia Yearly Meeting a copy to share with the PYM community.

The Syracuse Friends Meeting supports New York Yearly Meeting in its lawsuit seeking to halt the new federal policy of allowing U.S. Department of Homeland Security intrusions in and around houses of worship. We hold in the Light those who have brought this lawsuit and are grateful to them for acting with clarity, courage, and conviction. [Read more…] about The Syracuse Friends Meeting Minute of Support in Response to DHS Lawsuit

Dear friends at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting,

At our Meeting for Business on March 2nd, we recorded the following minute of support:

St. Petersburg Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is united in our support for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends et al v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al.

[Read more…] about Minute of Support from St. Petersburg Monthly Meeting

Kennett Friends Meeting offers support, encouragement, gratitude, and Light to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for its lawsuit: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Kristi Noem.

We appreciate the swift response of the General Secretary, Clerks and committee members who acted with purpose, clarity, courage, and conviction in making this happen. Kennett Friends are in unity with PYM and can affirm that you have acted on our behalf. Houses of worship are sacred spaces and are not subject to capricious actions resulting from changes in government.

With deep appreciation and support,

Kennett Friends Meeting

Respectfully submitted by

Barbara Harrison McPherson. Recording clerk

Haverford Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends has been welcoming Quakers and non-Quakers to its Meetings for Worship since before our Meetinghouse was built in 1834. The result of such a welcoming approach has consistently been spiritual deepening in our religious community.  Haverford Monthly Meeting strongly supports Philadelphia Yearly Meeting along with Baltimore, New York, and New England Yearly Meetings in pursuing the lawsuit against the United States Department of Homeland Security regarding the deployment of enforcement agents in houses of worship.

Submitted to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

By Clerk Dick Lytton

March 11, 2025