Watch: What you need to know about DACA: In this video, AFSC policy and program staff break down what the DACA decision means. Learn what’s next for the program and current recipients, and what you can do to advocate for a pathway to citizenships for all immigrants.
Restoring the right to vote for all: As we approach the November elections, nearly 5.2 million Americans are barred from exercising their right to vote because they have felony convictions. Disproportionately, those who are disenfranchised are Black and living in poverty. Felony disenfranchisement remains the longest-standing form of voter suppression in the U.S.—and it’s past time for us to end it once and for all, writes AFSC’s Lewis Webb Jr.
AFSC celebrates Biden's pardons, calls on governors to take the next step: The Biden administration's decision to pardon people with federal convictions for simple marijuana possession should be commended. Now governors must take similar steps. And the president must do more to address racially biased incarceration in the federal system. “As we work to abolish the criminal punishment system in the United States in favor of approaches that center healing and accountability, we must also address the policies that drive incarceration today,” says AFSC’s Tori Bateman.
Register for No Way to Treat a Child campaign webinar (Oct. 11, 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT): Join our monthly webinar from AFSC and Defense for Children International - Palestine on advocacy for Palestinian rights. This webinar will focus on U.S. military assistance to Israel and how we can advocate to stop taxpayer dollars from funding human rights violations.
Long Beach, CA police department publicly discloses information on militarized equipment: Last year, California passed a law that requires more transparency from local police departments on their use of militarized equipment, such as armored vehicles and tear gas. The law also gives community members and elected officials opportunity to change those policies. Long Beach police department is among the most recent to disclose such information. More accountability will come next year when police departments must start filing annual reports on how they’ve deployed this equipment, says AFSC’s Jennifer Tu. (Long Beach Post) See AFSC’s advocacy toolkit on the new law.
Advocates speak out as court rules against California's ban on for-profit prisons: The law would have phased out the use of private prisons and migrant detention centers in California by 2028. The decision “is overturning what California wants,” says AFSC’s Pedro Rios. “Private prisons should not be in the business of locking people up for profit. [But] this is a roadblock. We will continue to advocate.” (Fox 2)
Last chance to register: Quaker Call to Action on Oct. 13 (7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT): How can we work to stop voter suppression, protect the integrity of our elections, and oppose violence in all its forms? Learn how we can all stand up for democracy by joining our national call, hosted by AFSC and other Quaker groups. Sign up today.
