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Protecting the dignity of pregnant people who are incarcerated
As part of the Michigan Day of Empathy on March 2, Natalie Holbrook of the Michigan Criminal Justice Program will moderate a panel on “civic oversight for pregnant people in prison” at 3 pm ET. AFSC was mentioned in this article about prioritizing the COVID-19 vaccine for those in Michigan prisons, where 14 people have died over a recent 30-day period. The program also co-sponsored an event on writing to community members at Women’s Huron Valley prison.
Interviews highlight work for Palestinian human rights
The Colorado Center for Freedom and Justice recently interviewed Jennifer Bing of AFSC and Shaina Low of Defense of Children International-Palestine about their work on the No Way to Treat a Child campaign. The discussion covered legislation in Congress and ways people can help work for justice for Palestinian children. A Canadian podcast featured Jennifer and her colleague, Jehad Abusalim, on the history of Palestine and AFSC’s work in support of Palestinian human rights.
DACA recipients in Iowa share their hopes about new legislation
Berenice Nava with the Iowa Immigrant Rights Program and David Calderon, an AFSC alum, recently joined other DACA recipients to talk about the reintroduction of the DREAM Act and hopes for citizenship for all immigrants. Iowa Public Radio quotes Berenice: "Seeing now that the Dream Act has been reintroduced feels good that possibly more people will benefit from this, but I would also like something bigger so that other people who have been here longer than us can benefit from it." See below for upcoming action steps in support of “Citizenship for All.”
Photo: Brian Evans / via Flickr CC
Standing up to anti-Asian racism
As we hear more reports of harassment and attacks against Asians around the U.S., Mary Zerkel and Zareen Kamal of AFSC Chicago share some ways you can help respond to racism and build the safe and peaceful communities we all deserve. Debbie Southorn of AFSC shares about work to close the final five youth prisons in Illinois and the good news of an upcoming newsletter for incarcerated youth.
Valentines encourage school leaders to drop harmful policies
The weekend prior to Valentine’s Day, AFSC’s organizing family in St. Louis got together virtually to write love notes to decision makers across area school districts, encouraging them to challenge harmful policies around security and safety that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. Check out more in the St. Louis newsletter, and listen to Joshua Saleem of AFSC on empowering students for change.
Watch parties spur awareness and action
Principal Mauri Friestleben from North High School in Minneapolis joined in a recent Youth Undoing Institutional Racism (YUIR) post-movie discussion of Lean on Me, sharing breaking news that her high school, along with other schools in the metro area, have lead in their water. Please watch and spread the word. YUIR is asking, “How do we organize around this issue?” Stay in touch with the Twin Cities work via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Wednesday, March 3, at 5 pm CT: A Call to action: A Roadmap to Citizenship for All
Hear from AFSC immigrant rights advocates and directly impacted leaders as they share why we must advocate for humane principles that truly protect our communities in our call for a roadmap to citizenship for all. We will also discuss opportunities for legislation and how you can get involved. Register today.
Thursday, March 4, 4 p.m. CT: Citizenship for All Virtual Phone Bank
Join people across the country in making phone calls to members of Congress advocating for citizenship for all and an end to inhumane practices of detention and deportation. We will provide you with training and answer any questions you may have. This event is in partnership with our co-host, NAKASEC, and the Interfaith Immigration Coalition. Register today.
Sunday, March 7, 6 p.m. CT: A Quaker call to Citizenship for All
Join AFSC and FCNL as we put forward our powerful vision of justice for immigrants—aligning with Quaker values and understanding—in our call for Citizenship for All, no exclusions. Hear from immigrant rights advocates and directly impacted immigrant leaders in exploring the principles of just immigration policy and specific calls to action to make this vision real. Register today.
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