What it’s like to evacuate your home in Gaza: More than 1.9 Palestinians have been displaced by Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza. The act of evacuating one’s home is extremely emotional, writes AFSC’s Yousef Aljamal. Palestinians often have only a few minutes to pack food, water, and important documents. Family memories cannot be carried in a handbag or suitcase.
TODAY: Peacemaking & Earthcare (11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT): Join us today for a conversation with AFSC’s Joyce Ajlouny and Lindsey Fielder Cook of the Quaker United Nations Office. They’ll discuss their work at the intersection of global peacemaking and climate change. Together, we’ll explore how we can transform the impacts of war and conflict to build a life-giving future for people and the planet. Register now.
Trapped by technicalities: In New Jersey, an estimated 1,700 people are imprisoned for technical parole violations. These aren’t criminal offenses. Technical parole violations are usually minor infractions, such as missing an appointment with a parole officer. Still, these infractions can put someone who has already served their sentence back behind bars. It’s time to change that, writes AFSC’s Bonnie Kerness.
Tell your governor to restore voting rights for all: The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and should never be taken away. But as the November elections near, 4.6 million people will be denied that right because they have felony convictions. They are disproportionately Black and Brown people. Urge your governor to end felony disenfranchisement today!
Nelson Mandela’s grandson endorses Apartheid-Free Communities: July 18 was Nelson Mandela Day. It’s fitting that his grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, has been an outspoken advocate to end apartheid in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Earlier this month, he issued a statement supporting the Apartheid-Free Communities initiative, which was launched by AFSC and partners in 2023. The initiative calls on congregations, cities, campuses, and organizations to cut ties with Israeli apartheid. Read his statement. (Facebook)
