Written by Brian Blackmore, this reflection was part of the Vitality newsletter sent on July 3, 2026. To sign up for Vitality, click here.

---

Brian Blackmore works for the American Friends Service Committee, where he leads AFSC’s efforts to build nurturing, trusting, and engaged relationships with Quaker faith communities, schools, and organizations

---

Tomorrow, July 4, hundreds of events will take place to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. At the same time, many Friends express concern about the growing gap between the values this country was professed to be founded on versus the reality of state violence and injustice throughout U.S. history. While the United States wages war without congressional approval and tax dollars are used to put more people in cages than ever before, some Friends have asked: Is this a time to celebrate the founding of the United States?

Many Friends are also getting ready to attend the 2026 Gathering of Friends or are reflecting on their experiences at their yearly meeting sessions. This raises another question: Do these gatherings feel different this year? Are Friends feeling a stronger responsibility to respond to the rise of authoritarianism and injustice in our society?

As Director of Quaker Engagement at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), I have spoken with many Friends about how we can act with courage and follow the Spirit in our work for peace. I hope that when Friends gather this summer—at the FGC Gathering, at yearly meeting sessions, or in local meetings and churches—they will consider what Quakers are called to do now. How are Quakers called to protect communities, stand against oppression, and build a future based on freedom, equality, and justice?

Many July 4 celebrations do not recognize the communities that have been harmed by U.S. government policies. As an alternative, the American Friends Service Committee is inviting Friends and other people of conscience to join a Declaration of Resistance. This declaration is about defending the divine in every person. It reaffirms our shared commitment as Friends to protect people from harm and injustice. The Declaration asks people to work intentionally to shape our country around the values of care, compassion, and peace.

The Declaration of Resistance is the foundation of AFSC’s Commit to Resist campaign. This new campaign will offer many ways for Friends to join AFSC in ongoing efforts to resist authoritarianism and work for justice. To learn more, connect with an AFSC staff member at the FGC Gathering or at yearly meeting sessions. You can also visit our website or write to friends@afsc.org.

The great Quaker anti-war and civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, who was inspired to become an activist at an AFSC event as a young adult, once that every community needed a group of angelic troublemakers. He assured people that their power was within their ability to make things unworkable. People who heard him speak remember him saying: “The only weapon we have is our bodies. And we need to tuck them in places so wheels don’t turn.”

I hope Friends will take the opportunity this summer to connect with AFSC’s staff, programs, and campaigns. Together, we can be the “angelic troublemakers” this country needs now.

Brian Blackmore

Director of Quaker Engagement
American Friends Service Committee