SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025

Weekend Reading

More than 500 congregations, organizations, businesses, and other groups are now part of the Apartheid-Free Communities network. Photo: AFSC 

Hi Friend,

Guided by our Quaker values of peace and equality for all, AFSC has advocated for decades for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and systematic human rights abuses. As part of our ongoing work, we launched the Apartheid-Free Communities initiative with partners in 2023. The initiative calls on congregations, cities, campuses, organizations, businesses, and other groups to cut ties with Israeli apartheid.  

Today, we are thrilled to announce that over 500 groups—representing hundreds of thousands of people—have since taken the pledge to be “apartheid-free.” They are educating their communities, organizing ballot measures, divesting from companies that profit from apartheid, and more. Read more about this milestone. To hear from Apartheid-Free members, watch this video on Instagram.    

TAKE ACTION

Tell Congress: Stop sending weapons to Israel! 

More than 700 Palestinians—many of them children—have been killed as Israel resumed airstrikes across Gaza, shattering the ceasefire agreement. The attacks come after two weeks of Israel blocking all food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, pushing Gaza to the brink of famine. Thank you to everyone who took action this week to speak out against these atrocities. If you haven’t already, urge Congress to call for an arms embargo on Israel and full humanitarian access for Gaza!  

IN THE MEDIA

Inside jail, volunteers work to save ICE detainees from deportation 

At Strafford County Jail, the New Hampshire Immigrant Visitation Program is a lifeline for detained immigrants. The program, founded in 2014, is coordinated by AFSC and the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. Volunteers help immigrants navigate complex legal processes, connect with attorneys, and access interpreters. Despite a sharp rise in the number of people in detention, the program continues to provide vital support, giving people a better chance to pursue their immigration cases. Read more in the Boston Globe.  

JOIN US

Courage to Resist: Commemorating 50 years since Vietnam (April 26)  

Join AFSC for this special event marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The gathering will bring together conscientious objectors, draft counselors, community organizers, former AFSC staff, and many others who have worked tirelessly for peace. Connect with fellow war resisters and hear powerful firsthand accounts, including a discussion with AFSC alum Claudia Krich. She’ll share insights from her forthcoming book about her experiences in post-war Vietnam. Register to join us in person in Philadelphia or online.

DONATE 

Become a Partner for Peace 

We need at least 109 people to start new monthly gifts by March 31 to provide urgently needed support to communities working to build peace and defend human rights. Monthly giving is easy to set up and provides a steady stream of funding for peace and justice work worldwide. If you share our values of love, kindness, and human dignity, we hope you’ll join our incredible community of committed supporters. If you are not already partnering with us, please consider starting a monthly donation today! 

Special thanks to our monthly donors, our Partners for Peace, for their ongoing support to make all our work possible.

American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
United States | Donate

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