SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025
Weekend Reading
Hi Friend,
This week, as many of us gather with loved ones, we want to express our gratitude to you. Thank you for being a part of the AFSC community. In a year of immense challenges, you’ve shown up with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. The solidarity you show through your actions makes a difference in communities across the U.S. and around the globe. Watch this video to see the impact of our work together in 2025. [link removed]
STRONGER WITH IMMIGRANTS
How a small town rallied after ICE detained a beloved neighbor and got him released [link removed]
Last month, ICE detained Ruperto Vicens-Marquez, a father of three and beloved restaurant owner in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. His small town refused to stand by. Neighbors raised over $96,000 for his legal defense and submitted dozens of support letters to the court. AFSC’s Kerri Kennedy organized rallies and vigils. After 33 days in detention, a judge ordered Ruperto’s release—he's now home with his family. “This is just an indication that Americans want people to be treated with dignity and with their human rights honored and protected,” Kerri says. (HuffPost)
FEDERAL POLICY
5 things to know about U.S. attacks in the Caribbean and Pacific [link removed]
By Mike Merryman-Lotze
Thank you to everyone who contacted Congress this week to speak out against illegal military strikes at sea. Over the past several weeks, the U.S. has bombed multiple boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific, killing at least 83 people. The U.S. alleges that the boats were smuggling drugs but has presented no evidence. These are extrajudicial killings. Here’s what you need to know about these attacks and why we must act now to stop them. [link removed]
FOOD JUSTICE
Gathering in California's Central Valley lights the way in dark times [link removed]
By Rick Wilson
California’s Central Valley produces one-quarter of the nation’s food. Yet the immigrant and Indigenous communities who grow it face systemic oppression and exploitation. AFSC’s Pan Valley Institute works to change this by creating spaces where these communities can share knowledge, build power, and develop alternatives to corporate agribusiness. In October, PVI held its second Salt of the Earth Encuentro. Over three days, 120 workers, farmers, chefs, activists, artists, and organizers participated. [link removed]
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Coming Soon: Giving Tuesday Match!
Giving Tuesday is only three days away! And with a $50,000 matching gift offer, what better time to donate? Join the match, and your gift will go twice as far to support immigrants in the U.S., Palestinians in Gaza, and more.
Special thanks to our monthly donors, our Partners for Peace, for their ongoing support to make all our work possible.
DONATE [link removed]
American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
United States | Donate [link removed]
Facebook [link removed] | X (Twitter) [link removed] | Instagram | [link removed] News [link removed]
View this email as a webpage. [link removed]
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .
Update your AFSC email preferences [link removed]
[link removed]
