Friends General Conference

Together we nurture the spiritual vitality of Friends
Unprogrammed Quakers in Wichita, Kansas

No to U.S. military force in Syria

Public ContentAnyone can view this post

We don’t have any time to waste in letting Congress know that we oppose U.S.-led military intervention in Syria. Following President Obama's announcement that he will seek Congressional authorization for the use of military force in Syria, Congressional leaders are moving quickly to schedule a vote. Military intervention will increase the bloodshed in Syria, and it risks further escalating the war.

Already, an estimated 100,000 people have been killed, millions of families have been displaced, and Syria’s future has been crippled. There will be no winners here. But immediate action must be taken to end all violence, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians and the use of chemical weapons, so that Syrians can begin the hard labor of building peace.

Neither the interests of the U.S. nor the interests of the peoples of the region are served by collapse of the Syrian state and the resulting political vacuum.

What can the U.S. do right now to help the people of Syria?
• Press all outside parties for a full blockade of arms
• Vigorously support the political process—particularly joint United Nations/Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi
• Support a rapid convening of a Geneva II peace conference with all involved actors

Our vision of reorienting U.S. foreign policy away from war and toward shared security—with cooperative strategies for shared solutions—is a long-term proposition, but we have a clear opportunity to make a difference today.

Tell Congress that you oppose authorizing the use of U.S. military force in Syria, and warn them that such an attack, with or without Security Council support, will only increase violence and deepen regional divides. Events are moving fast. Congress needs to hear from you right now.

Sign the American Friends Service Committee's petition to the U.S. Senate here: https://www.change.org/petitions/no-to-u-s-military-force-in-syria

Tags: 

Share

Please consider before you comment

As you participate and comment on topics in this discussion, before you click submit, pause for a moment to reflect and listen deeply to Spirit.

Participation on this board is to be carried out in the spirit of Friends.  This is a place to respectfully ask difficult questions, share experiences, feelings and perspectives around these issues, as well as to listen deeply to others and Spirit.  Please be constructive and mutually respectful even in the midst of differing perspectives.  The moderator retains the right to delete inappropriate comments.

Post a Comment

Log in or register to post comments