SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023
Weekend Reading
Dear John,
In 2020, people across the U.S. deepened their commitment to racial justice after the police killing of George Floyd. But today, we’re seeing a backward slide toward law-and-order policies and rhetoric. It’s time to reaffirm our commitment to build community safety beyond policing. One way we can do that is to think twice before calling the police. Sign our “Think Twice” pledge today. [link removed]
Here are this week's picks to inform and support your activism:
Opinion: Restore asylum and build a better world: For the past three years, Title 42 has blocked hundreds of thousands of migrants from seeking asylum in the U.S. In this op-ed, AFSC’s Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke urge Congress to finally end this inhumane policy. “Militarizing our borders and turning away those seeking safety or a better life hurts everyone,” they write. “We need to welcome migrants and invest in the supportive services all of us need to thrive.” (Concord Monitor) [link removed]
The power of advocates to hold government accountable for Title 42: In this piece for Sojourners, AFSC’s Kristin Kumpf shares her experience standing with “asylum seekers, faith communities, and immigrant rights advocates who have turned moral outrage into prophetic action to end Title 42 and other anti-asylum policies.” Every one of us must now call on Congress to create a just asylum system that honors their humanity, she writes. (Sojourners) [link removed]
The people of Africa need relief. The Biden administration can provide it: This week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is traveling across Africa. It’s a critical opportunity for the Biden administration to move beyond rhetoric toward action to improve the lives of the African people, writes AFSC’s Pauline Muchina and Emira Woods of the Green Leadership Trust. The U.S. must support cost-free, debt-free crisis relief for Africa—and more funding to compensate countries for the harms caused by climate change. (Inter Press Service) [link removed]
Register for our next No Way to Treat a Child webinar (Jan. 24, 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT): This month, get a sneak peek of the report “Arbitrary by Default” from AFSC partner Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP). The report documents how the Israeli military arbitrarily detains, arrests, tortures, and prosecutes Palestinian children—violating international law. We’ll also hear from DCIP staff and testimonies from Palestinian children detained by the Israeli military. [link removed]
AFSC and Cambodian government collaborate to assess environmental impacts of private investment projects: For over a decade, AFSC has partnered with Cambodia's Ministry of Environment. In 2021, we created a guidebook on addressing the challenges of involuntary settlement for private investment projects in the country. And last month, we announced a new phase in our collaborative work. That work includes supporting inclusive responses to climate change. (Phnom Penh Post) [link removed]
Be well and take care
American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
United States
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