Quakers Offer Vigil to End Gun Violence

by Chad Dell
Manasquan Meeting

A vigil to end gun violence drew more than 65 people to the Manasquan Quaker Meetinghouse on November 20, 2019.

The event began with silent contemplation in the meetinghouse. Some participants stood to share their reflections about the epidemic of gun violence in communities throughout the nation. Participants then stood outside in a vigil on the Route 35 circle for an hour, signifying their witness to end gun violence, as passing drivers honked or waved in support.

Theresa Turner, State Legislative Leader of the nonpartisan national group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, spoke about the organization’s mission to reduce the number of homicides, suicides, and accidental gun deaths occurring annually in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 40,000 people a year are killed in gun-related incidents nationally.

Eleanor Novek, a member of Manasquan Meeting, said the event was an important step for her community. “Our faith compels us to take a stand on this important issue,” she said. “As Quakers, we revere life and believe that there is that of God in every human being.”

Jim Jones, clerk of Manasquan Meeting, called on elected officials to “adopt common-sense gun-control measures that balance public safety interests with individual rights—and to do so immediately, before one more needless death.”

A petition in support of universal background checks addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was circulated.

The vigil was covered by nj.com in the Jersey Journal’s “Faith Matters” column.