Dear John,

No one should be subjected to inhumane conditions—not in a pandemic, not ever. But in the U.S., 2.3 million people are incarcerated in prisons, jails, and immigration detention centers where human rights abuses are rampant. COVID-19 has multiplied the dangers of imprisonment.

Between Dec. 10 (Human Rights Day) and Dec. 18 (International Day of the Migrant) communities across the U.S. are taking action. Visit our webpage to register for events. And join us to urge officials to release as many people as possible, improve vaccine access, and take other protective measures. Tell public officials: Protect people in prisons, jails, and detention centers from COVID-19!

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

Victory: Ending ICE detention in New Jersey: After years of organizing and advocacy, New Jersey took a major step to uphold the rights and dignity of immigrant community members, writes AFSC’s Nicole Miller and Chia-Chia Wang.

Biden administration resumes “Remain in Mexico” program: AFSC’s Pedro Rios spoke out against the harmful policy known as the "Migrant Protection Protocols." It requires asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. for their immigration court hearings. As a result, thousands of migrants now live in makeshift camps and unsanitary conditions in Mexico. Many face violence, kidnappings, and extortion. (CBS8)

Register: Learn how to divest for Immigrant Justice (Dec. 14, 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT): Did you know you can check your investments to ensure you’re not supporting the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border? Or the surveillance and criminalization of immigrant communities? Join our webinar to learn how you can divest for immigrant justice. And how to call on your city, college, faith organization, endowment, union, pension fund, and bank to do the same!

Update on cutting Pentagon spending: On Tuesday, the House passed this year's defense policy bill. The bad news: It includes $768 billion for the military and nuclear weapons, even more than President Biden had requested. It also failed to end decades-old war authorizations. One bright spot: Legislators dropped a proposal to require women to register for the draft. Now, the bill moves to the Senate for a vote. Tell your senators: Stop funding war and militarism!

How to intervene if someone is being harassed: We continue to see reports of violence and harassment against Asian, Black, Muslim, Jewish, and trans people as well as many others. Do you know how to help if you witness such an act? Use these tips to assess how to intervene while considering the safety of everyone involved.

Help build peace with justice: We depend on caring people like you. If you haven’t yet given your year-end 2021 donation, please donate today.