SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2021
Weekend Reading

Dear John,

As the U.S. begins to recover from this public health and economic crisis, it’s critical that President Biden and Congress prioritize investments in health care, education, and other programs that meet real needs—instead of further militarizing our communities. But the U.S. has typically spent more than two-thirds of our federal budget on war, weapons, and domestic militarized responses, including immigration enforcement and federal prisons.

Sign our petition with Daily Kos: Tell Biden and Congress to stop funding war and militarism—and invest in our communities! [link removed]

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

Advocates urge Biden to support a waiver on international patent rights for COVID vaccines: [link removed] A temporary waiver would allow countries around the world to manufacture lifesaving doses domestically. “Black lives matter globally,” says, AFSC’s Pauline Muchina. “President Biden, please help end vaccine apartheid.” (Truthout)

Why we must boycott Pillsbury: [link removed] "We cannot support the products bearing our name when its parent company is benefiting from Israel's war crimes," writes Charlie Pillsbury, a descendant of the company founder. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Building sustainable and equitable Black communities: [link removed] In New Orleans, AFSC provides support to young people and community members working to increase fresh food access and create community safety for all.

Register: Care Across the Walls National Teach-In: [link removed] Join us online on May 6 to learn more about the challenges faced by mothers and children separated by incarceration—and how we can take action to reunite families and work toward a future without cages. This event is part of our national #FreeThemAll week of action. Find information on more events. [[link removed]]

Tell Congress: Demand Israel provide Palestinians with COVID-19 vaccinations and humanitarian aid: [link removed] Israel has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, but Palestinians living under Israeli control in the West Bank and Gaza are being left behind. Urge your representative to take action to restore vital aid to Palestine and demand that Israel make the vaccine available to Palestinians living under its control.

Can federal legislation help stop police violence?: [link removed] AFSC’s Peniel Ibe and Mary Zerkel discuss legislation proposed in response to public pressure after the police murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many other Black and Brown people.

Berkeley City Council passes groundbreaking ordinance in effort to demilitarize police: [link removed] “This is an important step that reflects years of public advocacy by community groups working to end police violence, lack of transparency, and the militarization of our neighborhoods,” says AFSC’s John Lindsay-Poland.

Be well and take care

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