Wednesday, July 12
Report by David Bassett
This day's activities were planned and hosted by Suzanne Day and Hal Taylor, and other members of the War Tax Concerns Support Group of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (of the Religious Society of Friends [Quaker]). Most visitors had traveled to the Philadelphia area on Tuesday evening, staying with local hosts in their homes. About 15 persons gathered on Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM at the Friends Meeting House at Fourth and Arch Streets. By tour bus, with Michael Van Hoy. their young, lively, very knowledgeable Quaker guide, they Visited a number of sites in and near central Philadelphia, including Independence Hall, the dioramas depicting William Penn's life, his Quaker background, and his historic role in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. We also visited areas of the city where public and private efforts at rebuilding neighborhoods have been successful, and other areas where little progress has yet been made, providing a stark reminder of the need to bring economic justice to many parts of this city. We returned for lunch to Fourth and Arch Street Meeting House. Following some post-lunch free time, the group traveled to the Taylor Farm, on the Delaware River, in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Here our group was joined by local members of the War Tax Concerns Support Group, sharing an enjoyable potluck/picnic. Following this, a ‘Global Tribunal’ session was held, involving discussions with Peter Goldberger on various issues of conscience.