SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022
Weekend Reading
Dear John,
Last week, dozens of people walked together to Friendship Park for the annual Posada sin Fronteras celebration, which takes place in both San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. As they walked, they reflected on the difficult journey so many make to find safety from harm, and the reasons people are forced to migrate. At the park, they read the names of 50 migrants who have died in the past year while trying to cross into the U.S. And they renewed their commitment to advocate for needed change.
Thank you to everyone who joined in that advocacy by signing our petition urging the Biden administration to restore the right to asylum and welcome migrants with dignity. We delivered that petition this week. As we honor International Migrants Day this weekend, please join us in urging Congress to do the same. Take action today. [link removed]
Here are this week's picks to inform and support your activism:
How Atlanta residents refused to let the city take their homes—and won: [link removed] In 2012, the city of Atlanta used eminent domain to displace dozens of homeowners from Peoplestown, a historic Black community. But a handful of families refused to leave—and community members and organizations stood with them. Their decade-long struggle changed Atlanta for the better, writes AFSC’s Tim Franzen.
What we asked of world leaders at the U.S.-Africa Summit: [link removed] This week, leaders from across the African continent met with President Biden in Washington, D.C. AFSC urged them to address armed conflict, COVID-19, climate change, food shortages, and famine. Read more.
Tell Congress: Pass a federal budget that prioritizes community needs: [link removed] Our federal budget is a moral document that reflects our nation’s priorities. Right now, Congress is negotiating the budget for the upcoming year. Urge them to prioritize health care, housing, addressing climate change, and other programs to help communities thrive.
AFSC and partners win decision on “killer robots”: [link removed] This month, the issue gained national attention when San Francisco elected officials voted to allow police to use killer robots—then changed their minds amid public outcry. There is no situation where police would need armed robots, says AFSC’s John Lindsay-Poland. But “when they have this equipment, it tends to get used.” (The New Yorker)
How aid was provided to migrants who arrived in Denver: [link removed] When over 200 migrants seeking safety began arriving to Denver last week, community groups and the city responded quickly with food, shelter, and other necessities. AFSC Colorado anticipated this need in September and worked with partners to set up a short-term shelter. The shelter was activated last week and has hosted 50 people seeking refuge, assisting them in figuring out their next steps, reuniting with loved ones elsewhere in the U.S., and orienting people seeking to resettle in Denver. (Denver Post)
Seeing the Light in Gaza during my trip to the United States: [link removed] This fall, AFSC brought contributors to our “Light in Gaza” anthology on a speaking tour to several cities in the U.S. In this op-ed, Palestinian author Yousef Aljamal shares his personal experience and his thoughts on how U.S. foreign policy has changed in recent years. (Politics Today)
Have you made your year-end gift?: [link removed] Thanks to all who have donated this year! If you have not yet given, please make your tax-deductible gift by Dec. 31.
Be well and take care
American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
United States
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