SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2021
Weekend Reading

Dear John,

As people across the U.S. continue to struggle in this pandemic, it's critical that Congress fund health care and other priorities that meet the real needs of our communities—instead of wasting our taxpayer dollars on more weapons and war. With the Biden administration soon to propose its budget for this year, tell Congress: Cut military spending and invest in our communities! [link removed]

We also want to thank everyone who donated to help us meet and exceed our goal for our March donor drive–and all who donate throughout the year to support our work. Your annual gift helps communities worldwide meet essential needs in these times of pandemic–while creating the long-term systemic change needed for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future.

Here are this week's picks to inform and support your activism:

Advocates speak out as dozens of migrant children in government facilities test positive for COVID-19: [link removed] In San Diego, dozens of cases were reported last week among youth held at Border Patrol facilities. The facilities are “ill-equipped to handle any type of medical emergency … or treat anyone with any serious illness,” says AFSC’s Pedro Rios. "It's urgent that anyone, especially unaccompanied minors, are removed so that they're not placed in greater harm." (ABC News)

Register: What you need to know about the upcoming Palestinian elections: [link removed] This year, Palestinians will have the chance to vote in elections for the first time in 15 years. Join our April 6 webinar to learn more about the significance of the elections and the questions they raise.

A Quaker call to abolition and creation: [link removed] AFSC’s Lucy Duncan explores the complicated history of Quakers and slavery—and urges Friends to help finish the unfinished work of abolition by working to end mass incarceration. (Friends Journal)

Canada’s largest federal pension plan divests from U.S. private prisons: [link removed] “Many people who may be financing companies engaged in mass incarceration and immigrant criminalization are in fact doing so completely unintentionally. … The American Friends Service Committee recognized this problem too when they created Investigate — a digital mutual fund screening tool to aid investors.” (Forbes) Visit Investigate [link removed].

DIY: How to make your own face masks: [link removed] As the U.S. faces another surge in COVID-19 cases, we must keep masking up and encouraging our family, friends, and neighbors to the do the same. Here are some tips to make some simple masks for yourself and your community.

Be well and take care

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