SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2025

Weekend Reading

After years of organizing and advocacy, residents in DeKalb County, Georgia won their struggle for affordable water. Photo: AFSC/Atlanta 

Hi John,

Every person deserves access to clean, affordable water as a fundamental human right. But since 2016, residents in DeKalb County, Georgia have received outrageously high water bills—sometimes amounting to tens of thousands of dollars—with no explanation or recourse. Residents organized a coalition to end this injustice, and AFSC has supported their efforts. Today, after years of advocacy, we’re thrilled to announce a victory in this struggle. Thanks to our collective efforts, county officials have passed legislation to ensure affordable water access for all residents. Read more from AFSC’s Kat Maddox.

FOREIGN POLICY

New poll: Support builds for diplomacy with North Korea and China 

By Beth Hallowell 

True peace requires engaging those we disagree with, reflecting our Quaker belief in our shared humanity across divides. When it comes to U.S. relations with North Korea and China, many people in the U.S. share these same values. That’s according to the results from AFSC’s public opinion poll on U.S. relations with North Korea and China. Despite a tense political climate, a majority in the U.S. favor peaceful engagement on various issues and lifting some sanctions. Read more.  

TAKE ACTION

Tell Congress to resume U.S. funding for life-saving Palestinian aid 

As Israel continues to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, Palestinians are facing starvation, disease, and ongoing bombardment. They desperately need humanitarian relief. But the U.S. has suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main provider of aid in Gaza. Last week, members of Congress introduced a bill to restore UNWRA funding. Please join us in urging elected officials to pass this critical legislation to save lives.   

RESOURCE

How to stay safer at a protest  

Taking part in protests is one way we can speak out for peace and justice, but there can be risks involved. Use our guide to plan ahead and get tips to keep yourself and others safe. You can also download our free posters to show support for migrant justice and Palestinian rights.

CLIMATE JUSTICE

The U.S. cannot abandon its climate responsibility  

By Bashir Elhassan and Brett Heinz 

Earlier this month, the United States withdrew from a U.N. fund designed to compensate developing countries for damage caused by major polluting nations. This decision represents the latest in a series by the Trump administration to roll back progress on climate change. Our government should not only reverse these damaging decisions but also redouble its commitment to addressing climate change worldwide. Read more.  Join AFSC in urging Congress to reject these policies and instead work to protect our planet. Contact Congress today!  

DONATE 

Emergency response in Myanmar

Thank you to everyone who has donated to help earthquake survivors in Myanmar meet urgent needs. If you have not yet given, please consider a special gift today to help us deliver water, food, medical supplies, and more.  

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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