Friends Committee on National Legislation

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Friends Committee on National Legislation logo

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) a public lobby organization founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends. FCNL is a 501(c)4 public interest lobby. It is neither a political action committee (PAC) nor a special interest lobby. FCNL's Executive Secretary is Joe Volk.

The organization's mission statement gives an overview of its vision for its work:

We seek a world free of war and the threat of war
We seek a society with equity and justice for all
We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled
We seek an earth restored.

FCNL is also the oldest registered, ecumenical lobby in Washington, DC. FCNL has a General Committee of about 220 Quakers from across the United States. FCNL advocates on several issues they believe are extensions of the Quaker testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity, and integrity.

FCNL played a pivotal role in the creation of the Peace Corps, was instrumental in lobbying for the creation of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, played an important role in lobbying for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and participated in efforts to oppose both the first (1991) and second (2003) Iraq wars.

A bumper sticker created by FCNL

FCNL developed the campaign in response to U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and general military buildup following the horrendous attacks on September 11, 2001. Since then, FCNL has distributed more than 200,000 signs, bumper stickers, and other materials with this simple statement that has now sparked debates and provoked responses from around the world.