Dear Friend,
On Jan. 11, 2023 we will gather for our inaugural liaison call! This will be a time to connect with Friends from across the country, get updates from AFSC, and share the latest from your meeting. Please RSVP to join us and save the date for Jan. 11, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
Here are more ways you can engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
Statement on the peace testimony and Ukraine: AFSC joins with other Quaker groups in affirming our commitment to seeking peaceful alternatives to armed conflict and ensuring the human costs of war are not forgotten. Whichever way this war ends, we know that healing and sustainable peacemaking will take more than a generation, and will only be possible through inclusive and sustainable processes.
AFSC Governance recruitment: AFSC’s Standing Nominating Committee seeks talented, energetic people who can commit some time to serving on our Corporation, Board, or a committee, including Stewardship, Friends Relations, Nobel Peace Prize Nominating, and more. If you know of someone (maybe yourself?) who would be a valuable addition to our team, please let us know here.
Read AFSC’s statement on the detention of Shadi Khoury: Oct. 18, Israeli soldiers entered the home of 16-year-old Shadi Khoury, dragged him from his house, and have since detained him without charge or trial. He is among the estimated 13,000 Palestinian children who have been detained, prosecuted, and incarcerated by the Israeli army since 2000. AFSC calls for the immediate release of Shadi and all Palestinian children held in Israeli military detention.
Colorado Immigrant Rights Program: Last week we celebrated Jorge Zaldivar’s return to Denver after being deported almost three years ago – a win in the immigrant leader’s 14-year struggle to remain with his loved ones in the U.S. and to change our immigration policies. Jorge is a long-time member of AFSC’s Not1More project, which provides immigrants with advocacy and mutual aid opportunities. What is needed for families like Jorge’s and all immigrants is a path to citizenship, says AFSC’s Jennifer Piper.
California Healing Justice: In a win for advocates, AFSC’s Jennifer Tu and many others in the Oakland, California community successfully pushed back when police proposed a plan to arm robots. Their efforts build on AFSC’s recent research into the state of California police militarization.
Thank you for your continued support of AFSC’s work and all that you do in working for a more just and peaceful world!
Blessings,
Sofia Di Pietro
Quaker Engagement Coordinator
P.S. You can find more ways to get involved at our Friends Engage page. And as always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments at friends@afsc.org.