SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025
Weekend Reading
Hi Friend,
Everyone deserves access to health care, nutritious food, and the support they need to thrive. Yet government safety net programs continue to fall short of what’s needed. And with recent cuts, even more families are struggling to keep up with rising costs and economic uncertainty.
While we keep pushing for policies that truly meet people’s needs, we can also take meaningful action right now in our own neighborhoods. Forming mutual aid networks is one way we can support each other while building community power to create lasting change. Read more from AFSC's Mary Zerkel. [link removed]
TAKE ACTION
Tell Congress: End the shutdown and protect our health care! [link removed]
Congress’ failure to agree on a budget has led to a government shutdown. This means millions of federal workers will go unpaid, and vital programs will be paused. At the center of negotiations: Congress is refusing to extend a policy that ensures health care for millions of people. Join us in urging Congress to end the shutdown and protect our health care! urging Congress to end the shutdown and protect our health care! [link removed] To learn more, read this article from AFSC’s Brett Heinz. [link removed]
IN THE NEWS
Community rallies for immigrant leader Jeanette Vizguerra [link removed]
For over six months, Colorado immigrant leader Jeanette Vizguerra has been unjustly detained in an ICE facility, separated from her family. Her legal team believes the government is punishing Jeanette, a vocal organizer, for her speech. Every Monday since her arrest, supporters have gathered outside the detention center to sing, chat, and call for her release. AFSC has long supported Jeanette in her struggle to stay in the U.S. where she belongs. Now, Jeanette's legal team is filing a new motion for her release. (Colorado Sun) [link removed]] [[link removed]
VICTORY
Microsoft revokes Israeli military access to technology used to surveil Palestinians [link removed]
Last week, Microsoft announced that it has blocked Israel’s largest military intelligence unit from using its Azure cloud platform and certain AI services. This technology has allowed the Israeli government to surveil the entire Palestinian population in the occupied Palestinian territory. The victory comes amid mounting pressure from human rights groups and Microsoft’s own employees and shareholders to cut ties with the Israeli military. AFSC's Action Center for Corporate Accountability has been supporting these efforts. To learn more, watch this video featuring AFSC's Noam Perry. [link removed]
Special thanks to our monthly donors, our Partners for Peace, for their ongoing support to make all our work possible.
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American Friends Service Committee
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