SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
Weekend Reading
Hi Friend,
This week marks 25 years since Sept. 11. We remember those killed on that day—and in the U.S. global “war on terror” that followed.
This ceaseless military campaign has resulted in lives lost, millions displaced, expanded surveillance, rising Islamophobia, and deepened conflict around the world. This has made the world less safe for everyone.
As a Quaker organization, we oppose violence in all its forms. Peace can never be brought about by war. Real safety will only be built on solidarity and justice, not domination and fear. We can work towards a different future.
Amid radical geopolitical changes and democratic backsliding, this moment calls for peacebuilders to be courageous. Together, we can build a vision of peace and security rooted in dignity and our shared humanity. Read more from AFSC’s Anita Ernstorfer. [link removed]
JOIN US
Action Hour for Palestine (Fridays, 12 noon ET / 9 a.m. PT) [link removed]
Our Sept. 11th Action Hour for Palestine will feature special guests Darakshan Raja and Amy Gottlieb. Darakshan is the founding executive director of Muslims for Just Futures, a nonprofit working to address the impacts of Islamophobia and the “war on terror.” Amy is AFSC's U.S. migration director, guiding our programs and advocacy for immigrant rights. Together, we'll discuss threats to civil liberties 25 years after 9/11 and take action for justice together. Register today. [link removed]
STRONGER WITH IMMIGRANTS
Advocates release report on abuse in immigrant detention center [link removed]
At the for-profit GEO detention center in Colorado, immigrants face medical neglect, racist abuse, rotten food, and other inhumane conditions. Earlier this week, the Shut Down GEO Coalition—convened by AFSC—released a report documenting these grievances. “These are just a couple of potent examples of the treatment of our loved ones inside and how they are not treated like human beings,” said AFSC’s AnnaRose Craig. We're organizing with detained immigrants and community members to demand accountability and to end detention for good. Read more about the report. [link removed] (CPR News)
VOTING RIGHTS
Restoring the right to vote for all [link removed]
By Lewis Webb Jr.
Voting is fundamental to our democracy. It is a right that should never be taken away. But today, an estimated 4 million Americans are barred from exercising their right to vote because they have felony convictions. Most are Black and living in poverty. Felony disenfranchisement remains the longest-standing form of voter suppression in the U.S. In recent years, several states have made progressive reforms to address felony disenfranchisement. It’s past time for us to end it once and for all. Read more. [link removed]
HEALING JUSTICE
A new home for formerly incarcerated women [link removed]
By Natalie Holbrook-Combs and Jon Krieg
For years, AFSC's Michigan Criminal Justice Program has supported incarcerated women. Now, we’re launching a new housing project to support them after they return home from prison. Women serving long-time sentences developed and proposed the initiative that guides this project. The project will provide supportive housing and peer-led programming. Read more. [link removed]
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]
