War Is Not The Way


In several parts of the world today, armed violence is producing a rising crescendo of misery, yet time and time again, experience has shown that it is patient negotiation, not the use of weapons of war, that brings peace and justice to any community. We are deeply saddened by our own unwilling complicity in an arms trade which intensifies warfare and the oppression of subject peoples on several continents.

We ask all people everywhere, and especially the members of our own government, to withdraw from trade in the weapons of war and to halt the supply of armaments to nations and factions presently engaged in violent conflicts. In all situations and among all parties, we urge that greater resources be directed to supporting the non-violent processes of conflict resolution.

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Please join us in signing this Statement, invite others to sign it, send it to your political representatives, and publicise it by whatever means are available to you,
so that the voices of restraint and good will may be clearly heard.
(initiated by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) of Skipton and Airton Meeting, Britain Yearly Meetings: The Ginnel, Newmarket Street, Skipton BD23 2JA; and Friends Meeting House, The Green, Airton BD23 4BA)