A powerful exhibit written and curated by Susan Kathryn Hefti — The Flushing Remonstrance: Who Shall Plead for Us?, which was on display late last year for nearly two months at the Flushing Library — is returning, now hosted by Flushing Town Hall (137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing, New York). A reception for the exhibit is set for Sat., Apr. 10, 2pm.
Produced by the Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives at Queensborough Community College here in New York City, the exhibit explores the roots of religious freedom in America and tells the dramatic story of what led up to the writing of the Flushing Remonstrance.
It is a document written in 1657 in which citizens of the Dutch colony of New Netherland requested — demanded — an exemption to Director-General Peter Stuyvesant’s ban on Quaker worship. It’s signers were not Quakers.
The history of the document, and its import with regard to critical questions of the American existence, is key to any understanding of the Bill of Rights.
Indeed, scholars continue to explore the impact that the document had on the American concept of religious freedom. For this special iteration of the exhibit, the installation at Flushing Town Hall will also include original artwork inspired by the theme of freedom and produced by 189 New York City art students under the direction of arts specialist Meri Ezratty.
The Flushing Remonstrance: Who Shall Plead For Us? will be hosted by Flushing Town Hall through May 9. Suggested donation for attendance to the exhibit is $5 per person; members attend free of charge.
For press inquiries or more information, call Terri Osborne at 718-286-2669 or email whoshallpleadforus@gmail.com.
