Dear Friend,
A little over a week ago, on October 6, we celebrated World Quaker Day. This annual event is a time to celebrate the diversity of Quakerism around the world and reaffirm our belief in the divine light of each person. Last week we also marked the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel. Since that day we have witnessed an ongoing genocide in Gaza and escalating violence in the Middle East. We mourn for the thousands of Palestinian and Israeli lives lost since that day and continue to demand an arms embargo and permanent cease-fire. Today, with violence increasing in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, these demands are more urgent than ever.
With these two days back-to-back, I found myself considering all the life we have lost over the past year of this violence, and our responsibility as Friends to act. As we continue to witness these atrocities and hold this grief, we must also remain steadfast in our action and in our calls for peace.
I encourage you to read and share AFSC’s statement marking the anniversary of October 7, “Against genocide and towards humanity,” and the timeline of our work in Gaza over the past year. Ending this violence will require our sustained collective energy, and we are grateful for your partnership in this work.
Here are more ways you can engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
Prevent the spread of war in the Middle East: The Israeli army is escalating its deadly attacks on Lebanon, and the region is moving closer to an all-out war. On Oct. 1, Iran fired missiles at Israel, marking a new stage in the already heightened situation in the region. The United States is further fueling the conflict by sending weapons and other military support to Israel. Today, the U.S. must enforce an arms embargo and do everything possible to peacefully stop the spread of war. Read more and Urge Congress to act now to prevent a deadly regional war.
October Liaison Call (Tuesday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT): Join us for our next quarterly Quaker liaison call to learn more about AFSC's work and our liaison program. Immigrant Ally Organizing Director for AFSC’s Colorado Immigrant Rights Program, Jordan Garcia, will join us to talk about his work organizing immigrant leaders and allies striving for immigrant justice. Friends on the call will also be invited to share updates from their community with one another and the Quaker Engagement team. We look forward to connecting with you! Register here.
Prison Watch newsletter: Our New Jersey Prison Watch Program supports individuals harmed by criminal justice policies and violence in healing and transforming the conditions under which they live. Program staff monitor human rights abuses in U.S. federal and state prisons, and call media attention to these conditions to advocate for change. Sign up to receive email updates about this work here.
Lecture on Quakers and the Gay Rights Movement (Sunday, October 27 at 1 p.m. ET): Join us for the final event in the Making Queer Quaker History series hosted by Beacon Hill Friends House with AFSC’s Brian Blackmore, Director of Quaker Engagement. This hybrid lecture will focus on Quaker involvement in the gay rights movement during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Learn more and register here.
Meeting for Worship with attention to peace in Palestine and Israel: Please join us every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT as we worship with Friends from across the U.S.
You are also invited to attend our weekly Action Hour for a Ceasefire Now, every Friday at 12 p.m. ET. Hear updates from AFSC staff and take collective action as we contact our elected officials. Please share this invitation with members of your Meeting and communities.
Thank you for your continued support of AFSC and all you do to create a more just and peaceful world!
With care,
Ainsley Bruton (they/them)
Quaker Engagement Coordinator
P.S. You're always welcome to contact the Quaker Engagement team at friends@afsc.org with any questions, comments, or concerns.