Dear John,

Thank you to everyone who helped us start off strong with our 2021 Annual Fund drive! Your support will help us meet our goal of raising $80,000 by June 30 to bring critical support to communities worldwide—and build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future.

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

Twin Cities youth speak out on violence and making their voices heard: In Minnesota, young leaders with AFSC and Youth Undoing Institutional Racism are urging city leaders to include them in decisions on community safety. In their list of demands, youth stated: “Both currently and historically, police presence has not equaled safety. We need to include creative approaches to safety that are personalized to each community.” Learn more. (KARE11)

New Jersey governor announces closing of women’s prison plagued by sexual violence: In January, AFSC’s Bonnie Kerness helped women incarcerated at the facility bring their stories to light by sharing letters they had sent her with elected officials, advocates, and the media. While it’s critical that we work toward a future without prisons, the governor’s decision does not address the need for accountability and real social and cultural change in New Jersey prisons, Bonnie says. Read our press release. (The New York Times)

Is mutual aid now in the mainstream?: In this podcast, AFSC’s Mary Zerkel and other activists discuss the rise in mutual aid networks during the pandemic and how these efforts can build solidarity and movements for social change. (WILL/Illinois Public Media)

Tell Congress: Create a roadmap to citizenship for all immigrants: Thank you to everyone who urged their representatives to pass a lasting solution to keep families and communities together! If you haven’t already, please take action today.

My bill would stop U.S. aid from funding Palestinian suffering: U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum explains the importance of H.R. 2590, an AFSC-supported bill that would prohibit U.S. military aid to Israel from being used to demolish homes, annex Palestinian land, or imprison Palestinian children in military detention facilities. (The Nation)

50th anniversary of the Pentagon Papers: Fifty years ago, Daniel Ellsberg released the Pentagon Papers to help bring an end to the Vietnam War. He shared how he was moved to do so after meeting conscientious objectors, including Randy Kehler and AFSC alum Bob Eaton. In 1971, Daniel also donated proceeds from his book to AFSC to support aid for war-wounded children in Vietnam. Read more in this 2018 “Fresh Air” interview.

Correction: Last week, we published an incorrect figure for the recent U.S. weapons sale to Israel. The correct amount is $735 million (not billion).