SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2024
Weekend Reading
Dear Friend,
The official death toll in Gaza is nearing 30,000 people, many of them children. People are dying from starvation and disease. Now, Israel is threatening to invade Rafah—a refuge for more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians and the center of all humanitarian aid. That would lead to many more civilian deaths and worsen the humanitarian crisis.
Today, we must keep pressure Congress to demand an immediate cease-fire to save Palestinian lives. Send a message today! [link removed]
Here are this week's picks to inform and support your activism:
They’re supposed to be ethical investors. Why are they funding the war on Gaza?: [link removed] Many so-called ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) funds are invested in companies making weapons for Israel. Tracking and stopping the flow of weapons is crucial, says AFSC’s Noam Perry. “If Israel didn’t have those, attacks would diminish and less people would be killed.” AFSC maintains a database [link removed] that helps organizations and individuals align their investments with their values, where you can look for mutual funds and the companies they include. (The Nation)
TODAY: The Bayard Rustin Legacy Forum (Feb. 24, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT). [link removed] AFSC is sponsoring a virtual symposium on the legacy of Quaker civil rights leader Bayard Rustin. It’s presented by the BlackQuaker Project and Swarthmore College’s Department of Peace and Conflict Studies. You'll hear from BlackQuaker Project founder Hal Weaver; Palestinian-American Quaker scholar-activist Sa’ed Atshan; Terrence Wiley, Haverford College Africana and Religious Studies scholar; and Lauren Brownlee, administrator of Friends Council on National Legislation. Register now.
Korea Peace Advocacy Week (March 18-22): [link removed] Every year, Korea Peace Advocacy Week brings together hundreds of people from around the United States. Together, we meet with members of Congress online to advocate for legislation supporting peace and humanitarianism in Korea. With tensions running high, our action is needed now to call for a peace agreement to formally end the Korean War. An advocacy training will be offered before congressional meetings. To join us, register by March 1. [link removed]
California is building a border wall with a new anti-climb feature: [link removed] New sections of the border wall were built with a metal wedge that hangs like an awning on the Mexico side. The feature could be deadly for migrants, says AFSC’s Pedro Rios. “We continue to see an increase in people that are falling from the border wall and seeking medical treatment. If they fall onto the Mexican side then we won't have an accounting for how dangerous this new feature might be.” (Newsweek)
Protecting migrants in an election year (Feb. 27, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT): [link removed] Join AFSC for the second installment of our webinar series to learn about the U.S. migration system—and how we can protect migrant rights in these times. We'll examine the legal pathways for migrants to enter the U.S. as well as the challenges they face. We’ll also discuss how we can work toward a future where all immigrants and migrants are treated with dignity and respect.
A story of resilience and systemic change: [link removed] Ophelia Burnett is the healing justice program associate for AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. She supports formerly incarcerated people in advocating for opportunities to thrive despite their records. In this profile, Ophelia reflects on how she overcame the personal challenges she faced after serving four years in prison. “I don’t do this work for me,” she says. “I do this for the ones who are still behind bars and feel they are silenced and have no voice.” (New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity)
One week left to apply for Emerging Leaders for Liberation!: [link removed] Do you know a young leader who is affiliated with an AFSC program, a Quaker meeting, or a Quaker college? ELL is a program that helps young people strengthen their social justice and leadership skills to organize and advocate in their communities. We’re now accepting applications for our 2024 cohort. The deadline to apply is March 1. Help us spread the word!
Special thanks to our monthly donors, our Partners for Peace, for their ongoing support to make all our work possible.
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