Dear John,

This week’s devastating shootings of Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Fengin, Soon C. Park, Hyun J. Grant, Suncha Kim, and Yong A. Yue in Atlanta came as attacks against Asians and Asian Americans continue to escalate around the U.S. The arrest of the white suspect in these killings without harm to his life stands in sharp contrast to the killings of Rayshard Brooks and former AFSC intern Oscar Cain by Atlanta Police officers. 

We stand with communities in Atlanta and across the country to defend our friends, neighbors, and families against racist violence. Read our blog on standing up to anti-Asian racism and tips on bystander intervention to learn more about how you can help build the safe and peaceful communities we all deserve.

Urge President Biden to improve asylum policies and address root causes of migration: Thank you to everyone who has joined us in advocating to keep migrant child detention facilities like the one in Homestead, Florida closed. As we continue to stand up for the rights of children and all migrants, your voice is also needed to urge changes to U.S. asylum policies and policies toward Latin America. 

New database documents global exports of Israeli weapons: AFSC’s Israel program recently launched a groundbreaking tool for journalists, academics, and others called the Database of Israeli Military and Security Export (DIMSE). “This database is further evidence that we need to end U.S. military support to Israel, and all direct and indirect military trade with repressive regimes,“ says Dov Baum, AFSC’s Director of Economic Activism. 

Demilitarize the budget! Budget advocacy training: Every year, about two-thirds of the U.S. budget is spent on militarizing our world and communities—including the Pentagon, abusive immigration enforcement, and policing. Join us Wednesday, March 24 to learn how the appropriations process works and how you can get involved in the call to move money into our communities! 

Yemen is not starving, Yemen is being starved: “The war is the root cause of the humanitarian catastrophe and the reason aid is needed. … And arms sales from the U.S., the UK, and others to the Saudi-led coalition, are keeping the war going,” writes Dr. Sam Perlo-Freeman of research coordinator at Campaign Against Arms Trade, which was nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize—along with Mwatana for Human Rights—by AFSC and Quaker Peace and Social Witness. 

Follow AFSC on social media: Stay up to date on upcoming events and ways to take action in working for a more just and peaceful world. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

The Victims of Agent Orange the U.S. Has Never Acknowledged: This weekend’s New York Times magazine features AFSC alumna Jacqueline Chagnon’s work to address and bring to light the lasting and devastating health effects of the Vietnam War. She was one of the first Americans to enter Laos, while working for AFSC. (The New York Times)

We are seeking 500 people to give by March 31. Will you be one?: Thank you to the more than 200 helpful people like you who have made a gift to AFSC this month! We are heading into the last stretch of the fundraising drive. If you have not yet donated in 2021, please consider making a gift today. Your generous support helps us do the work that you read about in each Weekend Reading.