Dear John,

Today marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11. AFSC joins people all over the world in remembering the lives lost on that day—and the hundreds of thousands more killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the other wars that followed.

This cycle of violence and militarism must end. In this essay, AFSC’s Kerri Kennedy writes about how the U.S. must reckon with the cost of our past actions—and chart a more just and peaceful path forward. Those steps include ensuring safe passage for Afghans who want to leave the country and humanitarian assistance for those who remain.

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

The lasting impact of U.S. decisions made after 9/11: From Sept. 11, 2001 through the invasion of Iraq on March 20, 2003, the U.S. embarked on a disastrous course driven by fear and retribution. AFSC’s Mary Zerkel explores how the U.S. response set the stage for the militarism and destruction that continue today.

Tell Congress: Repeal war authorizations and end ongoing military actions around the world: Twenty years ago, Congress passed two war authorizations that U.S. presidents have used repeatedly to justify military actions—including conducting drone strikes in many countries and jailing people in Guantanamo Bay. Tell Congress to repeal these authorizations once and for all!

Migrants risk life and limb climbing into small boats for journey to U.S.: While the Biden administration refuses to reopen the southern border to asylum seekers, many migrants have resorted to crossing into the U.S. through more dangerous routes. “The deaths in the water, the deaths in the desert are all avoidable if not only the U.S. but the Mexican government and other governments commit to protecting the lives of those who are forced to migrate,” says AFSC’s Pedro Rios. (KRON4)

Join the virtual series: “Divest from War, Invest for Peace”: This month, the Peace Education Center hosts weekly webinars on why the U.S. must shift its budget priorities—and invest in the health and prosperity of all people and the planet. The next webinar takes place Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. Get the full schedule and login information.

Islamophobia shaped the lives of Muslim American students after 9/11: Muslim Americans who were students in 2001 share how the xenophobia and Islamophobia that surfaced after 9/11 is still with us. The media played a role in fueling anti-Muslim sentiment, as tracked by an AFSC report in 2016. (Teen Vogue)

Into the Archives: Countering U.S. militarism after 9/11: AFSC was one of the few national organizations that publicly spoke out against the invasion of Afghanistan—and helped lead the movement opposing war with Iraq. In this video, AFSC Archivist Don Davis looks back at how AFSC supported communities resisting war and militarism.

AFSC stands with people in New Orleans and other communities in Louisiana as they continue to recover from Hurricane Ida, which killed at least 15 people and displaced thousands from their homes. Many more remain without electricity, water, and other vital services. We hold all Louisianans in the Light as they begin to rebuild in these difficult times.