At this year’s June 12-15, 2025 Annual Meeting in Ashland, Friends got actively involved in showing their support for peace, equality and opposition to militarism.

Saturday, June 14 was the date of the military parade in Washington, DC, costing taxpayers millions of dollars at the same time as Congress is considering a bill that would eliminate millions of citizens from medical coverage, cut nutrition programs, and in general remove safety net services for vulnerable people. There were protests all over the country that day. Friends joined in.

The Quakers at Annual Meeting in Ashland expressed their opposition to the expensive, tax-supported parade and cuts to the social safety net. Approximately 60 Friends participated in the outdoor event, with about half holding a public vigil on the Ashland campus with the other half walking to downtown Ashland to join in a larger No Kings Rally. Two beautiful Quaker-specific banners and many creative signs made during annual meeting, some with help from the youth program, appeared at the vigil and rally. At the same time, Friends gathered inside at a unique “meeting for business with attention to worship” where they held the local vigil and wider protest actions in the light.

The Quaker presence was remarked on in event coverage by the local paper. Some images from the event are provided below in the gallery.