SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024
Weekend Reading
Dear John,
Earlier this week, President Biden announced new legal protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. It would also help other immigrants—including some college graduates and DACA recipients—secure work visas. AFSC celebrates this action as a small step toward a more welcoming system that treats families with respect and dignity. ( Read our statement. [link removed] ) But much more is needed to provide safety and security for all our community members, not just these few. Tell Congress: Act now for welcoming, dignified, and just immigration! [link removed]
Here are this week's picks to inform and support your activism:
AFSC’s Joyce Ajlouny on the dire situation in the West Bank: [link removed] As Israel’s onslaught on Gaza continues, Palestinians in the West Bank also face increased violence and repression. In this interview, Joyce discusses her recent trip to Ramallah in the West Bank, the power of nonviolent action, and why the U.S. must stop funding Israeli violence against Palestinians. (Real News Network)
Defending civic space around the globe: [link removed] Governments worldwide are increasingly trying to silence civil society. That includes oppressing activism online through surveillance, blocking social media platforms, and hacking the devices of human rights defenders. Read this interview with AFSC's Libby Chase to learn more about digital authoritarianism and efforts to stop it.
Tell Congress to resume U.S. funding for life-saving Palestinian aid: [link removed] People in Gaza are dying of starvation and disease. They urgently need humanitarian aid. But the U.S. has suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main provider of aid in Gaza. These cuts could lead to a total collapse of the already restricted humanitarian response there. That would cost many most Palestinian lives. Urge Congress to restore funding for UNRWA today!
Rebuilding education in Gaza: What can we do? (June 29, 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT): [link removed] Every single student, scholar, and teacher in Gaza has been affected by the destruction of the education systems in Gaza. What can we do to help? Sign up for our webinar to learn from Palestinian scholars Nour Hamad, Ahmed Maher Alghazali, and Majd Almishharawi about how we can rebuild education in Gaza.
5 ways to think twice before calling the police: [link removed] When we're concerned about something happening in our community, there are good alternatives to calling the police. Neighbors can work together to peacefully address problems while keeping everyone safe. Here are some concrete steps you can take. (Instagram)
Matching Gift Challenge: [link removed] Thank you to all who have joined the Refugee Response Fund Matching Gift Challenge! If you haven’t yet given, you still have time to help support people around the world who have been displaced from their homes. An anonymous donor is matching gifts up to $100,000, but only through June 30!
Special thanks to our monthly donors, our Partners for Peace, for their ongoing support to make all our work possible.
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