SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2020
Weekend Reading

Dear John,

We hope you and your loved ones are well. In these difficult times, we continue to be inspired by how people are stepping up in so many ways—mobilizing to protect the integrity of our elections, protesting against racial injustice and police violence, and providing mutual aid to neighbors struggling in this pandemic.

Many of you have asked us to hold another online training on bystander intervention and de-escalation, so you can be better equipped to help someone who is being harassed in public. We hope you can join us this Tuesday, Nov. 11 (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT) for our next training. Register today. [link removed]

Here are this week's resources to help you stay informed and support your activism.

How people make policy change happen: [link removed] AFSC’s Rick Wilson discusses how “the three streams” model can help activists become more effective in working for systemic change.

Tell Congress: Pass a coronavirus relief bill!: [link removed] COVID-19 continues to claim more lives and further devastate our communities, yet elected officials have failed to extend unemployment benefits and have excluded millions of immigrants from any relief. Urge Congress to provide coronavirus relief—and include immigrants!

Heading to a protest?: [link removed] Check out our guide to protesting with tips on safety, messaging, and what to bring. Plus, get tips on effective signmaking. [link removed]

Standing with people in Beirut: [link removed] Since the massive port explosion in August, AFSC has helped local partners provide hundreds of families with food and other critical assistance.

Tears, hugs, and fresh clothes: New Jersey releases more than 2,000 people from prisons during COVID-19 pandemic: [link removed] The release came after the passage of legislation advocated for by AFSC's Prison Watch Program and partners. AFSC staff and volunteers, including people who are formerly incarcerated, were honored and elated to greet and provide support to individuals immediately after their release. (The New York Times)

How governments are exploiting the pandemic to restrict democracy: [link removed] AFSC’s Sahar Vardi discusses rising authoritarianism under COVID-19 in countries around the world—and how people are continuing to resist.

Compassion in Action Matching Gift Challenge: [link removed] Thank you to all who have contributed to AFSC’s Compassion in Action Matching Gift Challenge! If you have not yet made a gift and you are able to, please donate by midnight on Nov. 19 to help us reach our goal! A generous donor is matching gifts up to $1 million.

Be well and take care

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