Project Voice Immigrant Rights Program, Oregon-Washington
Concert to benefit AFSC’s work with immigrant communities
Folksingers Annie Patterson and Peter Blood, creators of the songbooks Rise Up Singing and Rise Up Again, are doing a “tour” of virtual singalong concerts inspired by the Poor People’s Campaign. AFSC’s Project Voice will be the beneficiary on Saturday, May 15 at 7 pm PT. All are invited to join in song and spirit while supporting the work for immigrant rights. During this time of COVID, Pedro Sosa, director of Project Voice, has continued to build leadership and resiliency in rural immigrant communities through virtual education and training. Please buy your tickets and share this FB event post.
New Mexico’s Great Carrot Crunch
People of the Land Program, Albuquerque
Kids win when farmers and schools work together
Building on the past successes of the Great Carrot Crunch and the Cherry Tomato Chomp, AFSC’s Farm to Early Childhood Education Program is working with farmers and schools to plan this year’s work. “When we reimagine our food system, we envision small, local farms supplying nutritious produce to neighborhood schools,” writes Angelina Lopez-Brody of AFSC. “We show that it is not only possible, but also fun and empowering.”
Immigrant Rights Program, Denver
Listening to community members on federal immigration bills
Jennifer Piper of AFSC recently joined colleagues to talk about immigration bills pending in Congress and “measure them against what we’ve heard from our community to determine what’s most needed for an effective, humane, and transparent system for immigration.” Based on that feedback, the US Citizenship Act of 2021, the most inclusive of all the bills pending in Congress, gets a “B.” The Citizenship for Essential Workers Act earns a “B --“, the American Dream and Promise Act a “C”, and the Farmworker Modernization Act a “D”. Join a Phone Zap for Citizenship for All on April 15, 12 noon MT.
Healing Justice Program, Oakland
Promoting restorative justice to address harm
Fatimeh Khan moderated this AFSC Restorative Justice Community Conversation about Accountability and Healing, one in a series of webinars looking at reallocating money away from police and to community programs. On Wednesday, April 14 at 5 pm PT, Fatimeh will lead a workshop on restorative justice in connection with AFSC’s annual Corporation meeting. She says, “It is essential that we learn new ways to address harm, hold people accountable for the harm they cause, and promote healing.”
Pedro Rios on cbs8.com
US-Mexico Border Program, San Diego
Standing up for all people coming to the border
"I don't think that people should be sent back, especially if they are coming to the U.S. seeking asylum,” says Pedro Rios of AFSC in this local TV interview. “The United States needs to abide by its international obligations of providing people an opportunity to file for asylum, and that’s not happening.” In another interview, Pedro notes that Border Patrol facilities are ill-equipped to handle any type of medical emergency…or treat anyone with any serious illness.” Visit this AFSC action page to get involved.
67 Sueños, Oakland
A call for action in support of unaccompanied children at the border
From Instagram: Hoy en Noticiero 67 “Noticias sin Fronteras”—We continue to see #46 administration struggle to address the rapidly growing number of unaccompanied minors arriving at the border. Ideas like converting prisons, abandoned NASA facilities, and other unsuitable “solutions” are on the table--except the release of the children. Many have been held longer than three days, which is a longstanding law that continues to be violated. DEMAND that your local leaders, officials and people in high places RELEASE the CHILDREN to their families!
Pan Valley Institute (PVI), Fresno
Art and Activism – Why Do It?
PVI recently hosted a webinar on art and activism featuring Agustín Lira, NEA National Heritage Fellow and co-founder of El Teatro Campesino, and artist Patricia Wells. Both talked about their roles with El Teatro Campesino and the importance of using all kinds of art to create a more humane and caring society. Art can expose the injustices and disparities experienced in disenfranchised communities of color.
State Sen. Kirsten Engel reads AFSC’s RFJ postcards.
Arizona Program, Tucson
ReFraming Justice Day gets across the need for change
Arizona state Sen. Kirsten Engel recently read postcards from AFSC’s ReFraming Justice Day on the Senate floor, urging lawmakers to address oversight, earned release credits, dignity for women in prison and more. Becca Fealk of AFSC is quoted in this article and interview regarding the perils of prison privatization, including the critical problem of incompetent health care.
Economic Activism Program, Oakland
Webinar goal: “End the Deadly Surveillance State”
Dov Baum of AFSC (lower right) recently joined with others to discuss the surveillance state and how technologies and ideologies of total control can move from “the belly of one beast to the belly of another.” Dov shared about Investigate, AFSC’s human rights action and research tool on state violence. AFSC is currently searching for an Investigative Research Intern (the deadline in April 16).
Roots for Peace (R4P) Program, Los Angeles
Planting seeds for rebirth, renewal and transformative justice
From Instagram: Gratitude to the abundant food and medicine the Earth offered us this past season. We offered the soil some nitrogen to restore and rest before we plant our seeds for the warmer months ahead of us. As new buds grow and flowers blossom, we save seeds, and we compost—welcoming rebirth, renewal, and transformative justice for our communities this season and beyond.
Short takes
John Lindsay-Poland writes about the deadly effects of the US gun trade….Learn about the work of Larry Licker, a farmworker advocate who began his work with AFSC….AFSC staff weigh in on Biden’s budget….AFSC is looking for a Leadership and Planned Gift Officer, a position that could be located in Oakland or Denver….Read Lucy Duncan’s Quaker Call to Abolition and Creation, check out the AFSC’s plenary session on abolition with Nyle Fort set for April 15, and invite AFSC to present a workshop at your yearly or monthly meeting or church
Your support matters
Your gifts of time and money make a real difference. Please be in touch with any West Region program by visiting afsc.org, and support the AFSC West Region by donating today. Please share this subscription link for this newsletter with others. Thank you!