Dear friends,
Fifty-five years ago this month, 22 million people took part in the National Moratorium to protest the Vietnam War. AFSC participated in the moratorium. Stewart Meacham, AFSC’s peace education secretary, co-chaired the steering committee that helped plan the demonstrations.
Today, we are looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in April 2025. We want to highlight and reconnect with people who got involved with AFSC as war resisters, conscientious objectors, draft counselors, and more. Were you one of them? Please fill out and share this form if you took the bold and courageous stance to resist war and violence.
Tonya Histand
Director of Public Engagement
Alumni news & notes
In 1985, AFSC coordinated a national boycott against Coca-Cola, led by Thandi Gcabashe. A new book “Thandi, Liberation: My struggle for South Africa as an exile in America” tells her story. The book was co-edited by Thandi’s friend and AFSC alum Elizabeth Enloe.
Pablo Espinoza dedicated most of his life to organizing and advocating for farmworkers’ rights. As the program director of AFSC’s Proyecto Campesino, he hosted Radio Campesina, Radio Bilingüe, and founded Radio Grito. Pablo recently died in California.
Amanda Gross, who worked for AFSC leading youth programs in Pittsburgh, recently published a book. “White Women, Get Ready” is a tool that challenges white women to confront their role in systemic racism.
Mikel Johnson served AFSC in a variety of capacities, including as executive secretary of the North Central Region in Des Moines. Mikel passed away recently in Iowa.
A new documentary film about AFSC alum George Lakey, “Citizen George,” offers important lessons for navigating today’s era of political conflict with hope and courage. George has used his life to work for justice and peace.
This recent article features AFSC alumni Arnie Alpert and Marta Daniels, showcasing the history of their work against nuclear energy and weapons.
Do you have news to share? Email us today!
Updates from AFSC
AFSC launches campaign to promote welcoming communities for immigrants
Earlier this month, AFSC launched a monthlong billboard and radio ad campaign offering a positive message about the strength of immigrant communities and welcoming all people to the U.S. The campaign is running in New Jersey, Colorado, New Hampshire, Florida, California, and Oregon.
5 things to know about escalation in the Middle East
Learn more about what’s happening in Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, and the rest of the occupied Palestine territory in this article from AFSC’s Mike Merryman-Lotze. Join us in calling for peace.
Our vision for welcoming, dignified, and just immigration
Everyone deserves a chance to build a good life, regardless of where they were born or when or how they migrated. But right now, our immigration system more often creates hardship and harm than offering opportunities for people to migrate safely. It doesn't have to be this way.
Archives
Have you seen our new webpage on resisting the Vietnam War? For years, AFSC and Quakers were at the center of the draft resistance movement. By the Vietnam era, AFSC was one of the main sources of counseling and support for men resisting the draft for moral or political reasons. Read more about this history.
More ways to take action and connect with AFSC:
- Tell Congress to support an arms embargo and humanitarian access now!
- Were you a CO or war resister?
- Act now for welcoming, dignified, and just immigration
- Are you interested in receiving life income while supporting AFSC? A gift annuity is easy to arrange. Reach out to GiftPlanning@afsc.org or visit us online.
Thank you for reading our AFSC Alumni Newsletter!