Dear John,
We write to you this week with heavy hearts as we mourn George Floyd, a Black 46-year-old murdered by police officers in Minneapolis. The killing is yet more evidence of a racist system that disproportionately targets people of color for violence and imprisonment—and we are standing with young people in the Twin Cities.
Read our statement condemning the murder of George Floyd and the brutal government response to protesters and calling for racial justice and systemic change. [link removed]
Here are this week’s resources to help you stay informed and support your activism.
Aiding immigrants left out of COVID-19 relief: www.afsc.org/blogs/news-and-commentary/help-immigrants-left-out-covid-19-relief#utm_source=weekendreading0053020&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekendreading In San Diego and other communities, AFSC is helping to provide financial assistance to immigrants while advocating alongside them to end detention and deportation, writes AFSC’s Pedro Rios.
On June 1, show solidarity with Palestinian health care workers on social media: [link removed] In this pandemic, join people around the world in calling attention to the health care crisis in Palestine and honoring Palestinian health care heroes.
West Virginia governor pledges to test all people in state prison system: [link removed] “This is a matter of public health and safety,” says AFSC’s Lida Shepherd, who has advocated with partner organizations and community members for more protections for incarcerated people. (West Virginia Metro News)
Video: Working for peace with North Korea: [link removed] AFSC’s Dan Jasper discusses our decades of work to support farmers in North Korea and advocate for peace on the Korean Peninsula. And join us on Facebook every Thursday at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT for our weekly updates from AFSC staff!
Leaders must act to protect refugees and internally displaced people in Africa: [link removed] With the window of containment shutting fast, we must work together quickly to stop the spread of COVID-19 on the continent, writes AFSC’s Pauline Muchina and Kennedy Akolo (Common Dreams)
Children's storytime on Facebook: [link removed] Join us on June 2, 3 p.m. ET as author Bernard Wilson gives a live reading of his book “Miss Mary,” which tells the story of Mary Elmes, who worked with AFSC to rescue Jewish children from France during World War II. For children ages 6 to 12 and their caregivers.
Our annual report for 2019 is now online: [link removed] We hope you will be as inspired as we are to see what communities worldwide have accomplished by working together for social change.
Be well and take care.
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