Dear Friend,
Last month, on Earth Day, AFSC announced our endorsement of the Vanguard S.O.S. campaign. This campaign is intended to put pressure on the investment firm Vanguard to incorporate climate considerations into their investment strategies, as they are the world’s largest investor in fossil fuels. Vanguard also ranks near the bottom of major asset managers in terms of voting for sustainability in shareholder resolutions. In Philadelphia, near Vanguard’s international headquarters, the campaign is led by Earth Quaker Action Team, a grassroots, nonviolent action group that works for a just and sustainable economy.
By endorsing the Vanguard S.O.S. Campaign, AFSC has committed to avoid any financial ties with Vanguard. We are also calling on Friends to join the “Never Vanguard” pledge and refuse to work for or do business with Vanguard so long as they continue to invest in the destruction of our climate and communities. I hope you will join us in taking a stand against corporate greed and aligning your investments with Quaker values.
Here are more ways you can engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
Quarterly Quaker Liaison Call (Wednesday, July 23 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT): AFSC liaisons are invited to join our call to hear about AFSC’s work and share updates from your meeting. In July we will hear from Brett Heinz, AFSC’s Global Policy Coordinator for Economic and Climate Justice. Brett will share about the Vanguard S.O.S. campaign and how Friends can get involved. We will also share other AFSC resources that may be helpful to Friends and create opportunities for connection among liaisons across the U.S. Register today.
Message from Serena, AFSC staff member, on the aid crisis in Gaza: Since March 2, Israel has prevented all aid from entering Gaza, and supplies of food, water, medicine, and other essentials are dwindling. People are on the brink of starvation. AFSC’s staff in Gaza are among the many whose lives are at risk. Serena is part of our team in Gaza that has worked tirelessly over the past year and a half to provide vital aid to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in this crisis. In this article, she describes the dire situation that she and the entire population of Gaza now face. Read more.
Korea Peace Advocacy Week: Every year, Korea Peace Advocacy Week brings hundreds of people around the country to participate in meetings with their members of Congress to advocate for legislation supporting peace in Korea. Participants in the event will meet with their representatives virtually to urge them to support legislation focused on Korean peace. Register and contact your members of Congress.
Philadelphia People’s Tribunal on War Crimes and Genocide in Gaza (Saturday, May 31 from 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT – 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT): A team of human rights attorneys and international law experts representing the people of Philadelphia, PA will present the case at the Philadelphia People’s Tribunal that U.S. government officials, including Senator John Fetterman (PA) and other designated members of the Pennsylvania U.S. Congressional delegation, are guilty of complicity with Israel’s U.S-funded war crimes and genocide in Gaza. Friends from across the U.S. are invited to attend the event remotely. Register today.
Tell Congress: Stop deportations now! Immigrants, like all people, should be treated with dignity and have their rights respected. The Trump administration is dramatically expanding detention and deportation, violating these rights and tearing apart families and communities across the U.S. Join us in urging Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to immediately halt deportations and detention, including jailing families. Urge them to stop separating loved ones and respect the rights and dignity of all people. Contact Congress today!
Quaker Community Spotlight: From May 4 to May 22, Quakers from Brooklyn and Queens, along with other partners, are organizing a 265-mile solidarity walk from Flushing, Queens to Washington, DC. Their goal is to invite faith groups to stand in solidarity with communities who are being unconstitutionally targeted by the Trump administration and send a message about our shared humanity. The walk will be punctuated by events and demonstrations, building momentum towards the arrival in Washington D.C.
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 / 9 a.m. PT. 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.
And stay up to date on upcoming events and ways to take action by joining us on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram.