SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023
Weekend Reading
Dear John,
Thank you to everyone who signed our petition urging President Biden to restore the right to asylum! All people, regardless of where they were born, should be able to seek refuge in the U.S.
By sending troops to the border and imposing more barriers to asylum, the administration is placing migrants in even more danger. If you haven’t already, sign our petition today! [link removed]
Here are this week's picks to inform and support your activism:
Responding to migrant needs at the border: In San Diego, county officials and immigration advocates are urging the federal government to provide more support to migrants arriving in the U.S. “People are fleeing for their lives,” says AFSC’s Pedro Rios. “They need to be processed in a way that assures asylum is restored and that it's respected.” (ABC10) [link removed]
New bill would defend rights of Palestinian children and people under Israeli occupation: [link removed] U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum has introduced a new bill to hold Israel accountable for violating Palestinian rights. H.R. 3101 would bar Israel from using U.S. aid to detain Palestinian children, demolish Palestinian homes, and annex Palestinian land. “Our No Way to Treat a Child campaign has built public support for the rights of Palestinian children and their families,” says AFSC’s Jennifer Bing. “We hope the 118th Congress will do what’s right and sponsor this critical legislation.” Tell your representative to support H.R. 3101! [link removed]
Kevin McCarthy Tried to Cancel a Discussion on Palestine. Rashida Tlaib Had It Anyway. This Nation magazine story writes about the recent event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Nakba at the Capitol. The Nakba was the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians following the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. AFSC was a co-sponsor of the event and a supporter of the Defending Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act mentioned in the article. (The Nation) [link removed]
Register for our next No Way to Treat a Child campaign webinar (May 16, 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT): Will you take the next step in advocating for Palestinian rights by engaging your members of Congress? Sign up for our webinar to learn more about H.R. 3101 and how you can lobby your representative to support it. [link removed]
QUNO 75th Anniversary Celebration (June 9, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT, New York City): Next month, we’re celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO). Please join us for an evening of celebration in New York to recognize QUNO's role as an ambassador for peace and raise money for their future work. We will be joined by Ambassador Olof Skoog, head of the European Union delegation to the U.N. Buy your tickets online Ticket prices include a “pay-as-led” option. If you can’t make it to New York, you can also watch our livestream event by registering for the event and choosing the livestream option. [link removed].
New prison reform bills show ‘people are greater than their biggest mistake’: In Michigan, legislators are considering "Second Look" legislation. These bills would allow people in prison to petition for a reduction in their sentence after serving at least 10 years. “Second Look seeks to address problems we have in Michigan with people serving long sentences, and there’s no avenue for release, regardless of their behavior, who they develop into” while in prison, says AFSC’s Pete Martel. (Michigan Advance) [link removed]
Have you seen our latest issue of Quaker Action magazine?: If not, you can now check out the issue online. Read about our work to protect housing rights in Atlanta, expose police militarization in California, and strengthen civil society in the Horn of Africa. [link removed]
Commemorating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “Letter from Birmingham Jail:” Sixty years ago this month, AFSC published King's letter. It was written in response to liberal white clergy who told civil rights leaders they were demanding change too fast. King wrote, “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” Read the full letter. [link removed]
Be well and take care
American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
United States
| DONATE | [link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
unsubscribe: [link removed]
