Dear Friend,
As the end of the year grows near, I am looking forward to spending time with my family and friends. As I prepare to travel and take time off work, I am reminded of what an immense privilege it is to be able to do these things and easily spend time with loved ones. Many immigrants in the U.S. do not share this experience, as everyday families and communities are separated by unjust detention and deportation policies.
This past week AFSC, in partnership with other leading immigrant rights organizations, honored Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day with a national week of national action. These actions included rallies, press conferences, film screenings, and more, and centered calls to support immigrant communities and dismantle the deportation apparatus.
While the coordinated actions have concluded, I encourage you to continue supporting migrant rights and advocating for immigrant communities in your area. You can watch the recording of our Journey to Human Rights webinar, which explores the intersections of immigrant justice in the U.S. and Palestinian rights, and send a message to Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for all.
I hope that you are also able to spend time with loved ones before the new year. Wherever you are, AFSC is sending love and light to you and your community. Together we will build longer tables, not higher walls.
Here are more ways you can engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
“Lifelines: Aid workers in Gaza”: We are encouraging Friends meetings, churches, and communities to screen this short film that provides a window into the lives and work of AFSC staff members in Gaza. The film follows AFSC’s Firas Ramlawi and Serena Awad as they provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza who have been displaced due to relentless attacks from the Israeli military. Despite being displaced themselves and losing dozens of family members and loved ones, AFSC staff in Gaza have provided life-saving aid to over 1.5 million internally displaced people. Watch the film here.
“Lifelines” screening (Friday, Dec. 20 at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT): This Friday on the weekly Action Hour for Palestine, our Palestine-Activism Program will screen “Lifelines: Aid Workers in Gaza.” Join us to watch the film and take action to advocate for peace and justice in Palestine. Register here.
January quarterly liaison call (Thursday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT): Join us for this quarterly liaison call to hear about AFSC's work and share updates from your meeting. On this call, we will hear from liaisons about how their meetings are taking action for peace in their communities. We will also share AFSC resources that may be helpful to Friends and create opportunities for connection among liaisons across the U.S. Register here.
What’s next for Palestine? Building the anti-apartheid movement: Earlier this month, AFSC brought together representatives from over 35 communities for the convening of the Apartheid-Free Coalition. The event commenced with a panel featuring co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement Huwaida Arraf and Rabbi Alissa Wise with pre-recorded remarks from Rep. Cori Bush addressing what we can do in the U.S. to continue building the anti-apartheid movement for Palestinian liberation. Watch the panel recording here.
AFSC volunteer fundraising conversations (Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT and Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT): Join AFSC’s Friends Relations, Standing Nominating, and Strategic Vision committees for a conversation about the role AFSC Corporation members and volunteers can play in fundraising. In a challenging fundraising environment, support from governance members is critical to the sustainability of AFSC programs. Join the Jan. 7 call here, and join the Jan. 8 call 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 Palestine, 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.