For the past three years, AFSC’s Emerging Leaders for Liberation (ELL) program has helped young people strengthen their social justice and leadership skills. Over eight months, they take part in trainings on organizing, advocacy, and nonviolent direct action. And they learn directly from AFSC’s experienced organizers and staff. To date, ELL has trained more than 50 young people from across the country. Read more about how these emerging leaders are creating change in their communities.
Yesterday, Oct. 25, marked one year since AFSC began hosting weekly Action Hours for Palestine. More than 5,700 people have signed up to join our gatherings during that time. The Action Hours have become a safe place for people across the U.S. to come together to grieve, learn from each other, demand a cease-fire, and take action against the genocide in Gaza. Read more.
In Pennsylvania, people detained at an ICE detention facility are challenging a ban on virtual court appearances. While detained people can use video technology to attend their immigration hearings, they are blocked from attending New Jersey criminal court proceedings virtually. As a result, many have missed hearings and faced more time in detention. The motion is part of a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of AFSC’s Immigrant Rights Project and any detained immigrant with criminal charges in New Jersey. Read more in Reuters.
Earlier this year, AFSC staff interviewed Yousef Abu Rabee, a Palestinian farmer in Gaza. Yousef had started a plant nursery to feed people facing starvation in the north of Gaza, where almost no food aid has been allowed to enter for weeks. But before the article was published, Yousef was killed by an Israeli drone strike. His killing has left other Palestinians in Gaza’s north much more vulnerable. Read more from AFSC’s Yousef Aljamal in Electronic Intifada.
