We as members of the Peace, Justice and Prisons Committee and the New Paltz Society of Friends (Quakers) oppose violence in any form.

As violence continues to escalate in Ukraine, we stand in solidarity and sympathy with the people who have suffered egregious assaults on their lives, freedoms, and human dignity. We also stand with all the people throughout the entire region whose lives are being torn apart by war. We grieve the loss of life and destruction to our world that war inevitably brings.

We urge all parties to cease fire and remain at the negotiating table, keeping lines of communication and dialogue open and active. Diplomacy is the best way to bring peace to this region.

For more than 350 years the Religious Society of Friends has sought a world without violence. As people of faith, we are called to show mercy and compassion to one another, to invite in the stranger, the hungry and those who are sick. We are also called upon to uphold justice and advance nonviolent solutions to conflict and promote peaceful cooperation among all peoples.
We affirm that war is never the answer. Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means.