Grace Griffin AFSC
To view the Digest as a PDF, please click here.
Working to abolish injustices in St. Louis
“I live in East St. Louis, Illinois, and inequalities in housing and education are all problems in my community,” says Grace Griffin. Along with her brother, Yosiyah, Grace was featured in the latest Humans of St. Louis. “I wanted to help abolish those injustices, so I became a member of the AFSC Youth Council.” A good example of this work is a new lawsuit about the relationship between schools and the police.
Alicia Brown addresses a Chicago rally. Photo: Isiah ThoughtPoet Veney
Working in Chicago to #FreeThemAll
The latest newsletter of the Chicago Peacebuilding Program includes the announcement of their new Instagram account and a blog post from Alicia Brown. “Today, young people in Chicago and across the country are organizing under the call to #FreeThemAll,” Alicia writes. “We’re calling for the release for all people from incarceration—and demanding investments in our communities instead.”
A view of Hebron Photo: Jennifer Bing
New reports focus on Israeli apartheid
The Chicago Palestine Activism Program’s latest update includes support for Amnesty International’s new report Crime of Apartheid: The Government of Israel's System of Oppression Against Palestinians. Late last year, the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights issued a report on Israeli apartheid in the Gaza Strip. Tell Congress to stop the displacement of Palestinians, then join the next No Way to Treat a Child webinar on February 8. Learn more from AFSC staff Jehad Abusalim and Jennifer Bing.
Supporting women in prison during Covid
The entire Michigan prison system is experiencing COVID-19 on a scale that free people cannot imagine, according to the latest newsletter from the Michigan Criminal Justice Program. The long-time overcrowding of the women’s prison has exacerbated the inhumane and repressive nature of the punishment system during COVID 19. AFSC is working from many angles to pressure the governor, the director of the Michigan Department of Corrections, and the legislature to create more outside oversight of the conditions at Women’s Huron Valley prison. Advocates want outside expertise to inform the ongoing responses for COVID-19. Hear these testimonies from the women in prison.
Youth look at how far we’ve come, how far we have to go
AFSC Twin Cities’ latest YUIR OK—Now What? focused on the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and integration given the rise of racial incidents in Minnesota
that have made a national impact. “Our celebration was so beautiful,” says Shanene Herbert, who directs AFSC’s Healing Justice Program in the Twin Cities. “We know youth and youth work, and we’re proud of the good work we do despite all the obstacles.” Check out this recap of work from 2021 and plans for 2022.
Congrats to Endí Montalvo-Martinez, left, and Lyric Sellers. photo: ACLU Iowa
Students lead effort to end school resource officers in Des Moines schools
The ACLU of Iowa recently presented its Robert Mannheimer Youth Advocacy Award to Endí Montalvo-Martinez and Lyric Sellers. The teens worked to end school resource officers (SROs) in the Des Moines Public Schools. Mannheimer was an AFSC alum who served on the regional executive committee, assisted dozens of conscientious objectors with their legal issues, and helped set up Friends House in Des Moines.
Short takes
Join AFSC’s #FreeThemAll actions around the country on Valentine’s Day weekend….Applications are due February 4 for the Real Student Safety Fellow in St. Louis and February 16 for the Cary Fellow with the Palestine Activism Program….Join AFSC Iowa alums for their Immigration 101 virtual training on Friday, February 4 at noon CT….Check out AFSC’s new Planned Giving website, our statement about military escalation in Russia and Ukraine, and our new Emerging Leaders for Liberation youth cohort.
Grateful for your support
Please renew your support of AFSC by donating now; please consider becoming a Partner for Peace by donating monthly. Thanks for sharing this subscription link for the Midwest Digest, and check out AFSC Midwest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Thank you!